The Voice of America condemns the Burundi Communications Commission’s decisions to extend the indefinite suspension of VOA programming and to ban BBC broadcasts. Since these outrageous restrictions were first imposed in May of 2018, Burundians have been denied independent, objective journalism.
“We are alarmed that reporters in Burundi are now forbidden to communicate with VOA and believe these continuing threats to our journalists undermine press freedom in the country,” said VOA Director Amanda Bennett. “We stand with the people of Burundi against those who are restricting their access to accurate and reliable news and information.”
Before Burundi suspended broadcasts, VOA content reached 57 percent of adults each week. Independent research surveys showed that more than 90 percent of that audience reported that they trust the news and information that VOA provided.
VOA content will continue to be available in Kirundi and Kinyarwanda via shortwave channels, on the Internet and on FM transmitters located in neighboring countries.
