Bob Rugurika

8 results arranged by date

CPJ calls on Democratic Republic of Congo to not extradite Burundian journalist

New York, December 31, 2015­–The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo not to extradite Egide Mwemero, an exiled Burundian radio journalist who has been in custody since October 13, according to reports. Bob Rugurika, director of independent Burundian station Radio Publique Africaine where Mwemero also worked, told CPJ…

Read More ›

Burundian journalist arrested in Democratic Republic of Congo

New York, October 19, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the detention of Egide Mwemero, a Burundian journalist who, according to the managing director of his radio station and local reports, was arrested in Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on October 13.

Read More ›

Police in the capital, Bujumbura, have cut the transmission of Radio Publique Africaine, according to RPA Director Bob Rugurika, seen here.

Burundian authorities crack down on press ahead of elections

Nairobi, April 29, 2015–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the harassment of journalists and news outlets in Burundi and calls on authorities to allow them to cover protests ahead of scheduled elections in May and June. Police cut the transmission of at least three radio stations, and telecommunications companies have been ordered to suspend mobile…

Read More ›

Supporters of Radio Publique Africaine director Bob Rugurika crowd around the station's offices to celebrate his release on bail last month. Rugurika's release comes as Burundi debates an easing of press laws. (AFP/Esdras Ndikumana)

Press law debate and journalist’s release signal hope for Burundi’s media

Burundi journalists may have more space to report freely ahead of the country’s controversial elections this year after the legislative assembly pushed for amendments to a draconian press law and a radio director was released on bail.

Read More ›

Rugurika, director of Radio Publique Africaine, is taken to jail by police. (IWACU)

Burundian journalist arrested, charged after not revealing source

Nairobi, January 21, 2015–Burundian authorities imprisoned the director of the privately owned Radio Publique Africaine on Tuesday and charged him with complicity in murder, according to news reports. The arrest followed the station’s broadcast of an interview in which an unidentified guest said he was involved in the September murder of three Italian nuns, news…

Read More ›

Burundi Senate passes harsh amendments to press law

New York, April 23, 2013–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the passage in the Senate of highly restrictive amendments to Burundi’s Press Law and calls on President Pierre Nkurunziza to reject the bill when it comes to him for confirmation.

Read More ›

Rugurika (CPJ)

Burundi’s journalists and lawyers face intense harassment

It’s possible that no journalist in the world has received more court summonses in recent weeks than Editor Bob Rugurika of Burundi’s Radio Publique Africaine (RPA), a station founded by CPJ award-winner Alexis Sinduhije.On Tuesday, for the fifth time since July 18, Rugurika was interrogated by a magistrate in the capital, Bujumbura, about programs aired…

Read More ›

Burundi journalists march on World Press Freedom Day. (Jean Pierre Aimé HARERIMANA)

Burundi government harassing independent broadcasters

New York, August 3, 2011–The government of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza is attempting to silence critical press coverage of his administration with incessant judicial harassment of two of the country’s leading independent broadcasters, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. 

Read More ›