Press freedom in Burundi remains fragile despite the country’s modest improvement in the latest global ranking by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), according to local civil society groups marking World Press Freedom Day.
The Burundian civil society organization PARCEM has raised concerns about ongoing censorship and increasing pressure on journalists. Faustin Ndikumana, the group’s director, warned that authorities continue efforts to silence the press, particularly during election periods.
“We observe a tendency by Burundian authorities to muzzle the press in order to conceal abuses, especially during election campaigns. This is still alarming,” he said.
He also pointed to a worsening situation regarding public access to information, describing government institutions as increasingly unresponsive to media inquiries. “It feels as though journalists are treated like outsiders when seeking information. Authorities are reluctant to provide reliable data,” he added.
Ndikumana emphasized that these challenges persist despite recommendations made during the 2022 national conference on media and communication reform, which aimed to strengthen the sector as a driver of economic development.
Concerns about press freedom are echoed by the Centre for the Promotion of Information and Development (CEPID), which cited ongoing administrative pressures, including the detention of working journalists and the forced removal of media content.
In a statement, the group called for stronger collaboration between government authorities, media professionals, and development partners to foster a “free, inclusive, and peace-promoting media environment.”
Government officials, however, offered a more nuanced view. Jean Claude Nizigiyimana, assistant to the Minister of Communication and Media, acknowledged that press freedom plays a key role in countering misinformation.
“In countries where access to information is not guaranteed, rumors tend to spread,” he said. However, he rejected claims that authorities systematically deny access to information, arguing that journalists must follow administrative procedures when gathering news.
According to RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Burundi ranks 119th out of 180 countries, with a score of 46.14—an improvement from 125th place in 2025. Despite this progress, RSF says the media environment remains “very hostile,” pointing to the imprisonment of journalists on charges such as undermining national integrity.
Earlier this year, Burundian courts provisionally released two detained journalists, Sandra Muhoza and Kenny Claude Nduwimana, who had been held in custody since March.
While the ranking suggests incremental improvement, civil society groups argue that significant structural challenges remain, leaving press freedom in Burundi far from secure.
