Evelyne Butoyi, the Minister of Communication and Media, conducted a significant field visit on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in Bujumbura, Burundi. The visit encompassed three key public media outlets: Publications de presse burundaise (PPB), Agence burundaise de presse (ABP), and Centre d’information, d’éducation et de communication en matière de population et de développement (CIEP). These organizations are recognized as key pillars of public information dissemination within the country. The minister's objective was to encourage these organizations to strengthen and enhance the quality of their work to foster national development and contribute more effectively to Burundi's progress. Ms. Butoyi stated, "L’information diffusée par les journalistes, si elle est équilibrée, elle contribue au développement du pays dans la mesure où les leaders peuvent prendre des décisions inspirées par l’information bien fouillée, bien équilibrée." This statement showed her belief in the power of well-researched and balanced reporting.
Prioritizing Quality and National Image
The Minister of Communication and Media, Evelyne Butoyi, emphasized the critical importance of professional information treatment, spanning comprehensively from content collection to its final dissemination. She insisted on this careful approach as fundamental to credible and impactful journalism. During her interactions, she urged public media outlets to focus particularly on subjects that showcase Burundi's potential. This includes actively promoting the country's image on both national and international stages, boosting tourism by noting its attractions, detailing the successful implementation of annual work and budget plans (PTBA), noting progress in public infrastructure projects, and addressing critical public health issues with informative and educational content. These areas, she noted, are vital for demonstrating the nation's capabilities and achievements.
Ms. Butoyi also encouraged full media coverage of regional and international meetings hosted within Burundi. Such reporting, she stated, would serve to show the nation's stability and its proven capacity to successfully host large-scale events, thereby enhancing its international standing. The Minister commended the unwavering efforts of the staff at the public media organizations and exhorted them to continue their mission with professionalism and dedication. She affirmed that a high-performing and strong public press serves as a vital lever for achieving Burundi's national development ambitions across various sectors.
Strengthening Digital Presence
Minister Evelyne Butoyi further showed the necessity for public media organizations to significantly enhance their digital presence to engage a broader audience. She noted the growing importance of leveraging online platforms to disseminate information effectively and reach citizens who increasingly consume news through digital channels and social media. This strategic shift is key for maintaining relevance and accessibility in the modern media landscape.
The Ministry of Communication and Media is currently developing a project aimed at securing official certification for the digital accounts of specific public media outlets. This initiative is designed to streamline and facilitate the diffusion of content across various digital platforms, ensuring that verified information from public sources can reach the public efficiently and reliably. The certification process aims to build trust and counter misinformation, thereby solidifying the role of public media in the digital sphere.
Addressing Operational Challenges
During the visit, operational challenges were noted by staff at the public media outlets, presenting a clear picture of the hurdles they face. Among the issues raised were insufficient IT equipment, specifically a critical lack of computers, and inadequate remuneration for employees, which impacts morale and retention. Publications de presse burundaise (PPB), which comprises the daily newspaper Le Renouveau du Burundi and the weekly Ubumwe, faces these significant resource constraints, directly affecting their ability to produce and disseminate quality content. The identified challenges show the pressing need for improved infrastructure and fair compensation to adequately support the public media's key role in national development. Addressing these operational concerns is seen as absolutely key for enabling the organizations to effectively boost quality and expand their digital reach as urged by the Minister, ensuring they can fulfill their mandate.