Nestor Bankumukunzi, Communication Minister:” Radio stations that work officially are easily controlled unlike those operating secretly”
“Both local and international media have to abide by the existing law regulating media”, said Nestor Bankumukunzi, Communication Minister when responding to questions by MPs on 6 December.
During the session of oral questions in the National Assembly where Nestor Bankumukunzi, Communication Minister was invited, certain MPs suggested that some radio stations should be prevented from broadcasting on the Burundian territory.
MP Josephine IRAMBONA, proposed that HUMURA radio activities should be suspended following the news it broadcasts. Fabien BANCIRYANINO, another MP said, however, INZAMBA radio and other media should be given freedom to continue their activities because they are widely listened to by Burundians.
As an answer to the questions and suggestions by MPs about Humura and Inzamba, Nestor BANKUMUKUNZI said radio stations that work officially are easily controlled, unlike those operating secretly. “The only solution would be to suspend the latter. However, they broadcast by means of the internet and stopping them is beyond our capacity”, he said.
As for International media like VOA and RFI accused of spreading inaccurate news about Burundi, the communication minister said they have been warned many times, but have not changed. “They can be punished like national media. The law governing them is the same”, he said.
To the question about how listeners of Humura and Inzamba radio stations should be punished, Bankumukunzi said there is no sentence for them as there is no law that criminalizes them.
Humura and Inzamba online media have been created after the destruction of some independent media shortly after the failed coup attempt in May 2015.
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