BUJUMBURA May 7th (ABP) – The Burundian Ministry in charge of Media encourages journalists and information holders to strengthen collaboration to serve the population. The Minister’s Assistant to that ministry, Mr. Elie Kitamoya mentioned it on Wednesday May 3, 2023, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Press Freedom Day. That day was celebrated under the theme: “Freedom of expression: a driver for other freedoms and human rights”.
According to Mr. Kitamoya, those who have not yet understood that information is a public good must pull themselves together and rectify the situation, recalling the essential role of the media for Burundi to be an emerging country in 2040 and a country developed in 2060. He thus invited media professionals to help people shape their future, to work for the development of both current and future generations and to use the freedom of expression recognized for them to help Burundians to enjoy other freedoms.
The Assistant to the Minister in charge of communication also pointed out that freedom of the press must be exercised in strict compliance with the law and professional ethics. He thus invited journalists to work with professionalism by turning away from the illusions which lead them to believe that the freedom of the press authorizes them to do anything. Journalists must therefore be champions of truth, defenders of professionalism and good guides of society, he continued.
As for the president of the CNC, Mrs. Vestine Nahimana, she pointed out that it is regrettable that the Organizations of Media Professionals (OPM) have still not succeeded in revitalizing the media self-regulatory body. This role was played by the Observatory of the Press in Burundi (OPB), which was considered a court of peers but has not been operating since 2015. However, she specified, it is always better than mistakes and other professional failings are settled primarily within the corporation. “Dirty laundry is washed in the family,” she added.
The chairperson of the Burundi Press House, Mrs. Mireille Kanyange, is delighted with the improvement in relations between media professionals and government officials in recent years, thanks to rapprochement initiatives. She nevertheless specified that other efforts are still needed to improve the working conditions of the media.
This day was also marked by the organization of a tournament of eloquence for journalists. That activity resulted in the awarding of prizes to the three best competitors, the first having been awarded to journalist Innocent Ndayizigiye of the Burundian News Agency.