GITEGA, Feb 16 (ABP) – The minister of communication and media, Gabby Bugaga, acknowledged the decisive role of radio in the development of Burundi. This was on Friday, February 13, 2026, during a speech he delivered on the occasion of the celebration of World Radio Day, 2026 edition, whose theme was “Artificial Intelligence (AI): opportunities and threats.”
On the socio-educational level, Bugaga indicated that radio raises awareness on public health and education issues; promotes civic values of national unity; contributes to youth supervision; and enhances cultural heritage.
On the economic level, he continued, it serves as a platform for the promotion of local entrepreneurs and producers and encourages the spirit of innovation.
As for community radios, Minister Bugaga stated that they are key actors in local development by giving communities a voice to foster interaction and consequently transform their environment.
Returning to the theme of the day, he affirmed that AI represents a major technical revolution. For radio, he specified, it constitutes an opportunity to improve production, modernize working tools, and expand the audience; it enables the automation of certain techniques such as transcription and rapid content translation, better data analysis, and the strengthening of information verification mechanisms.
Beyond the aforementioned advantages, Minister Bugaga pointed out that AI also carries risks. He cited, among others, content manipulation, disinformation, the weakening of media credibility, as well as new ethical challenges.
From all the above, Minister Bugaga stated that AI must remain at the service of journalists and not a substitute for human intelligence, ethics, and professional responsibility.
He revealed his ministry’s commitment to promoting appropriate training frameworks and to supporting the media in this digital transition.
During the discussions, the representative of broadcasting radios in Burundi, as well as private media managers, pleaded for the removal of the fees they pay in foreign currency for the operation of telecommunication antennas under RTNB (National Radio and Television of Burundi). They argued that financial support from their partners has significantly decreased. Minister Bugaga replied that the payment of these fees must remain. For him, the owner of a project must know where the operating funds will come from. Instead, he offered them advice to remedy the situation.
“You must leave your offices to approach your media partners instead of waiting for them to come to you,” he added. “International organizations should support you on the basis of what you already have,” he insisted.