BUJUMBURA September 22nd (ABP) – The Chairperson of the National Media Council (CNC), Mrs. Vestine Nahimana, hosted a press briefing on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, to present the decisions taken at the end of the meeting in the ordinary two-day plenary assembly, organized by the CNC.
The CNC chairperson indicated that the ordinary plenary meeting was intended to review how all media outlets have behaved professionally over the past three months and to discuss the daily work of the CNC.
She stressed that the relationship between the CNC and the media is good. However, certain mistakes were noted, she stressed.
According to Mrs. Nahimana, certain mistakes commonly committed in the media profession have been observed, among others the media which do not respect Burundian culture, namely Iteka FM radio, Kazoza FM, BETV and LOY TV. Those media violate article 72 of the press law.
Ms. Nahimana further added that the IWACU newspaper and RFI have published false news and information that is not rigorously verified and whose sources are unknown.
In addition, she noted, Indundi Culture radio was also found to have broadcast information that incited political intolerance while CCIB FM and Bonesha FM were singled out for broadcasting information that incited political intolerance to hatred and defamatory remarks that harm human honor.
In addition, it was observed on Kabaza WEB TV radio the broadcasting of exaggerated, false defamatory remarks affecting honor and human dignity. Insults were noted on the Izere FM radio platform. While imbalances and mistreatment of information were noted on NET PRESS, she underlined.
In terms of the written press, the president of the CNC specified that it has been observed that newspapers no longer submit their newspapers to the CNC, while the CNC law specifies that the submission of newspapers for each publication is obligatory. She warned them that sanctions will be imposed on them.
Those are the Burundi Pride Newspaper, Inama Nkenguzamateka, ikiyago c’Inama Nshingamateka Newspaper, Jimbere Newspaper, ECO Sanctuaire, Imboneza News, Magazine TV Tubirabe and the Inkiko Magazine Newspaper.
Regarding the online press, the president of the CNC indicated that there are online presses which have registered with the CNC but which do not operate even though the latter has the duty and the right to monitor how they work. These include Homerwork TV, Ihuriro TV, Business Time, WW Leaders, Jay TV and Show UP TV. For those media, the CNC took the decision to suspend them.