BUJUMBURA, April 8th (ABP) – The Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and the Media, in partnership with the Conflict Alert and Prevention Centre (CNAP), organised on Friday 4 April a forum for exchanges between the media and public institutions to promote access to balanced information.
Léocadie Ndacayisaba, the minister responsible for communication, said that the aim of the forum was to promote exchanges on the progress made in the field of communication. She said that the forum had provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges to be met and the actions needed to improve collaboration between administrative officials, political parties, civil society, the media and the communication officers of the various public institutions. The aim is to work together to guarantee free, transparent and peaceful elections.
As the Minister of Communication pointed out, in Burundi, as elsewhere, the election period is frequently marked by indecent remarks and misinformation, which are disseminated voluntarily or involuntarily on the media and social networks, which can inflame tensions and jeopardise peace.
In that context, Minister Ndacayisaba called on journalists to scrupulously respect the electoral code, the code of conduct signed by the journalists themselves, and the regulations governing journalism.
She asked those in charge of the media to ensure that the reports broadcast is based on verifiable facts, avoiding the temptation of sensationalism, while insisting on the need to promote a contradictory and professional debate, with respect for fairness, in order to guarantee objective and balanced coverage of electoral issues.
She also called on the leaders of the political parties to adopt a transparent and respectful approach, putting forward their plans for society rather than favouring hate speech aimed solely at holding up the opponent’s image. In her view, it is essential to promote constructive dialogue, whether through the media or during the election campaign period.
Minister Ndacayisaba also reminded communication officers in public institutions and spokespersons that their role is to be true communicators, who must act in a professional manner. According to her, they are an essential source of information for journalists on subjects in their field. She stressed that their role is complementary to that of the media, underlining the importance of working together to provide accurate and reliable information. At a time when social networks are inundating the media, she reminded them that they have a great responsibility to project an accurate image of the country, using the various platforms offered by new information and communication technologies.
She reminded civil society that, as consumers and sources of information, they have an important responsibility. In particular, she asked them to point the finger and, above all, to denounce those who broadcast messages likely to cause harm.
According to Minister Ndacayisaba, thanks to the workshops organised across the provinces, trust between journalists and sources of information has been strengthened, facilitating access to reliable information.
During the discussions, participants addressed issues such as the quality of journalism, professional integrity, censorship and the legislative framework governing access to information. They also highlighted the current challenges facing journalists, spokespersons and other actors, while proposing solutions to ensure more balanced, transparent and accessible information.