Burundi media guide

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, A man listen the news on his phone in downtown Bujumbura

State-run outlets dominate the media. Journalists operate under strict press laws and face harassment over their coverage.

US-based NGO Freedom House says: "Freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed but severely restricted in practice by draconian press laws and a dangerous operating environment for media workers."

Many journalists have fled the country since 2015. Radio is the main source of information for many Burundians. Many privately-owned stations were shut after the 2015 coup attempt.

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The government banned FM transmissions of 成人快手 World Service radio in 2019, accusing it of airing a documentary it said had damaged the country's reputation - it lifted the ban in 2022.

There were 1.6 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 12% of the population (Internetworldstats.com).

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Social media serve as news sources in place of shuttered radio stations. They are also used for attempts at spreading disinformation, says RSF.

Press

  • Le Renouveau - government newspaper
  • - private weekly, online content in English/French
  • Ndongozi (Pacesetter) - founded by Catholic Church
  • Arc-en-ciel (Rainbow) - private, French-language weekly
  • Ubumwe (Unity) - government-owned weekly

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Television

  • - government-run, in Kirundi, Swahili, French and English
  • TeleRenaissance - private

Radio

  • - government-run, in Kirundi, Swahili, French and English
  • - private
  • Radio CCIB+ - operated by Burundi Chamber of Commerce
  • Radio Culture - partly funded by health ministry
  • - private
  • - online, operated by exiled Burundian journalists

News agencies

  • - state-run
  • - private