Third radio journalist jailed in growing crackdown
New York, November 29, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists demands that three radio journalists jailed in Burundi in the past week, including Matthias Manirakiza detained today, be released immediately. “This looks more and more like a campaign to silence respected independent broadcasters who have spearheaded investigative reporting on human rights abuses and corruption,” said CPJ…
CPJ condemns imprisonment of two radio journalists
New York, November 22, 2006–Two journalists for the prominent independent radio station Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) were arrested today in Burundi over a story about an alleged coup plot, according to several local sources. Editor Serge Nibizi and journalist Domitile Kiramvu were summoned for questioning, served with an arrest warrant, and imprisoned on charges which…
CPJ condemns continuing harassment of radio journalists
New York, October 2, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the ongoing campaign of intimidation by the authorities in Burundi against radio stations that have cast doubt on a government claim to have uncovered a coup plot. The State Prosecutor today questioned three journalists from three independent stations about their sources for a…
Government harassment forces radio chief into hiding
New York, September 28, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the government of Burundi for a campaign of harassment and intimidation which has forced Alexis Sinduhije, the head of Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) into hiding. Communications Minister Karenga Ramadhani likened RPA to Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, the radio station that incited genocide in…
Journalist jailed for five months for remarks in a bar
New York, September 19, 2006—A reporter for the Burundian state news agency was sentenced to five months in jail on Monday for slandering the state in a private barroom conversation, according to media reports and the journalist’s lawyer. Aloys Kabura, a correspondent for Agence Burundaise de Presse in the northern province of Kayenza, has been…
CPJ condemns partial closure of private radio station
New York, August 21, 2006—Authorities in Burundi have stopped local broadcasts of the private radio station Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) in the northern province of Ngozi since Friday. The reason authorities gave for the closure was non-payment of broadcast license fees but several local sources told CPJ the move was in retaliation for RPA’s critical…
CPJ condemns harassment of Burundian radio director
New York, August 4, 2006—A prominent radio journalist went into hiding for fear of arrest after police searched his home on Thursday. Alexis Sinduhije, founder and director of Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) and a 2004 recipient of the Committee to Protect Journalists’ International Press Freedom Award, said authorities sought to arrest him in retribution for…
Journalist arrested for criticizing government
New York, June 1, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the detention of a journalist in Burundi for criticizing the government. Aloys Kabura, a correspondent for the state news agency Agence Burundaise de Presse, was arrested late Wednesday for speaking “defamatory words” in public against state institutions, international media quoted a local prosecutor as saying.…
Police attack journalists at ousted politician’s news conference
New York, April 18, 2006—Police in Burundi attacked journalists on Monday who refused to hand over recordings of a news conference at the home of an ousted ruling party politician. Journalists said police surrounded the Bujumbura house of Mathias Basabose and prevented more than 30 reporters and human rights activists from leaving for more than…