Burundi’s public media landscape includes RTNB, the Burundian Press Agency (Agence Burundaise de Presse (ABP)), Burundian Press Publications (Publications de Presse Burundaise (PPB)) and CIEP. RTNB offers two television channels as livestreams and two FM radio streams. Independent, community and digital outlets include Iwacu, Bonesha FM, Yaga Burundi and SOS Médias Burundi, among others. An EU and Immar survey from 2021, along with later secondary reports, gives radio an annual reach of 89 percent. Radio therefore remains particularly relevant for rural and less well-connected areas. Access to digital media is mainly through mobile networks, fixed-line internet, satellite and pay television, and video platforms. According to the Agency for Regulation and Control of Telecommunications (Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARCT)), there were three mobile network operators in the second quarter of 2025: ECONET LEO, VIETTEL BURUNDI and ONATEL. It reported 3,604,455 mobile internet subscriptions, 4,853 fixed-line internet subscriptions, a subscription penetration rate of 29.265 percent and a mobile penetration rate of 71.01 percent. Subscription figures do not correspond to the number of individual users. There is no consistent nationwide overview of data tariffs, media subscriptions or streaming catalogues. Canal+ Burundi and RTNB cooperate on television provision; an independent, nationally established Burundian video-on-demand service is not documented. The National Communication Council (Conseil National de la Communication) is the independent administrative authority for print, audiovisual and electronic media, as well as foreign media distributed in Burundi. It monitors, among other things, media pluralism, access to sources, the independence of public and private media, protection of the dignity of children and adolescents, and access to media during elections. An online media outlet must file a declaration with the Council and the competent prosecutor; after more than 90 days of inactivity, a new declaration is required. Radio and television broadcasters also require technical authorization from the ARCT. In Bujumbura, the scarcity of available frequencies may affect the licensing of inactive broadcasters. Article 31 of Burundi’s Constitution protects freedom of expression. The Press Law, as amended by Law No. 1/21 of 12 July 2024, partially decriminalized several offenses, including insult, defamatory allegations, insult of state bodies, false news, public indecency, defamatory denunciation, and certain violations of privacy and the presumption of innocence. Other offenses, including those related to security, ethnic hatred or other crimes, remain subject to the Penal Code. Media organizations and journalists must therefore observe accuracy, privacy, the presumption of innocence, the prohibition of incitement, and requirements concerning public order and security. During elections, provisional results may be published only with the approval of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). The Ministry of Communication and Media also recognizes online media and content creators as part of the public information landscape. Social platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube serve for news distribution, discussion and participation. At the same time, risks include surveillance, suspensions, arrests, threats, attacks and self-censorship. The CNC temporarily suspended Yaga Burundi on 27 March 2025 and allowed it to resume operations on 14 April 2025. Proceedings against Bonesha FM, Nderagakura and other online or community journalists were also reported in April 2025. The RSF Index 2026 ranks Burundi at position 119 of 180, with a score of 46.14. For children and adolescents, the CNC’s mandate includes protecting their dignity. A uniform nationwide Burundian system for age ratings, parental controls or special online safety supervision is not documented. When reporting on sensitive cases, media organizations must protect children’s privacy and avoid identifying details. Young people participate in public communication through Yaga, creator and influencer channels, radio programmes and online groups. Public participation also takes place through call-in radio programmes, public broadcasts, local radio stations, comments and groups on social networks, and election-related media access under the rules of the CNC and CENI. Use costs depend mainly on airtime or data volume, the device, electricity and, where applicable, pay television. Fees and processing times for media declarations and licences have not been published reliably. The planned law on access to public information was approved by the Council of Ministers on 10 June 2026; its parliamentary and promulgated status has not yet been confirmed. Permission is required to rebroadcast, record, reproduce or publicly communicate broadcast programmes, and the protection period for broadcasts is 50 years.
Media in Burundi
Media in Burundi primarily include radio, television, the press, online services and social platforms. Radio has particularly broad practical reach, while internet access remains limited by network coverage, devices, electricity supply and data costs. The National Communication Council regulates media content, but journalism remains subject to legal and personal risks despite formal press freedom.
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