The Burundi press regulators have said it will be banning BBC and VOA for six months which will take effect from Monday. This was announced today ahead of the constitutional referendum on May 17.
The ban was announced by the head of Burundi’s National Communication Council who accused the broadcast media’s of breaching the laws governing the press and ethics.
According to him, BBC damaged the reputation of the president, Pierre Nkurunziza. Earlier in the week, the government had requested that BBC is sanctioned for incendiary statements, subversion among others.
However, VOA was also accused of spreading tendentious information and hiring a journalist who the Burundian justice say is being sought after.
Other broadcasters that got warnings include French broadcaster RFI, two local stations Isanganiro and CCIB FM,
The ban has come few days to the constitutional referendum vote.
Although, BBC said it broadcasts to Burundi on FM relay stations and via two local partners, VOA has said they may be shut down if the government follows through with the ban.
The Burundian president who has been in power since 2005 if voted in will rule for another two terms till 2034.
His controversial third term run sparked up violence leaving 1,200 killed and 400,000 homeless. This is still being investigated by the International Criminal Court.
Photo Credit: Nigerian Monitor
