Tensions between the Burundi government and the local press are bound to increase as several media this week defied an order not to investigate or discuss a recent massacre. While officials say the measure is "temporary" and necessary to safeguard national unity and the course of justice, independent journalists are asserting their right to publish information in the interest of public accountability.
Committee to Protect Journalists
CPJ Blog
Press Freedom News and Views
Burundi
It's possible that no journalist in the world has received more court summonses in recent weeks than Editor Bob Rugurika of Burundi's Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), a station founded by CPJ award-winner Alexis Sinduhije.
On Tuesday, for the fifth time since July 18, Rugurika was interrogated by a magistrate in the capital, Bujumbura, about programs aired by his station, according to news reports and CPJ research. The magistrate allegedly asked Rugurika to "correct" a broadcast that pointed out that a 1996 U.N. report had implicated an official involved in the setting up of Burundi's Truth and Reconciliation Commission in a massacre, RPA Editor-in-Chief Eric Manirakiza told CPJ.
As recently as April, the state prosecutor in Burundi demanded journalist Jean-Claude Kavumbagu be put away for life. But just a month later, Africa's only jailed online journalist was a free man.
A relentless international campaign by press freedom groups, human rights activists and Western governments had paid off.
At CPJ's book launch of our annual survey
of press freedom conditions across the world, Attacks
on the Press, today in Nairobi, we focused on the growing theme of challenges
to investigative journalism in Africa, with a particular look at East
Africa. The subject certainly resonated with the local and foreign journalists
here.
After
2006, Burundi's government and media relations seemed promising. The airwaves
had been open to private broadcasters for years; the president held frequent
press conferences, and the government commended the unified press for its
professional 2010 pre-election coverage. "The president had organized an open
dialogue with the press before the elections," Information Minister Concilie
Nibigira told CPJ. "It is the only country I know who would hold regular
meetings with the media." 
"They
like me in here," editor Jean-Claude Kavumbagu said of his fellow prisoners.
But sub-Saharan Africa's only jailed online journalist still pays protection
money to stay safe in Bujumbura's Mpimba Prison.
The Net Press editor has been here since police arrested him on July 17. He was charged with treason over an article that questioned the competence of Burundi's security services.
CPJ has joined with African press freedom groups to urge African leaders to end repression of the media as they celebrate 50 years since the end of colonial rule. We will publish a series of blogs this week by African journalists reflecting on the checkered history of press freedom over that period.
This year is the 50th anniversary of independence for many countries in sub-Saharan Africa from colonial powers
The staff at CPJ was
relieved to hear that former CPJ Press Freedom
Award winner Alexis Sinduhije was released from prison today. The former radio
station director and veteran Burundian journalist was acquitted by a
Alexis Sinduhije, a 2004 International Press Freedom Award recipient, has been charged with "contempt for the president" in his home country of Burundi. Sinduhije has given up journalism to pursue a career in politics. The Boston Globe has coverage of the arrest today.
Alexis Sinduhije
founded Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) in 2001 to
bridge Burundi
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