Regulatory body commends recent media conduct

Burundi's National Communication Council, which regulates media in the country, has commended the behaviour of media professionals during recent months of peace negotiations. In a statement following a meeting on Tuesday in the capital, Bujumbura, the council said it had noted with "satisfaction that the behaviour of the media has been satisfactory since the resumption of negotiations", adding that it was "encouraging the media to play a leading role in its coverage of the peace process". It also called on government authorities to "assist the media in offering fair, complete and balanced coverage of the negotiations and of the different stages of the peace process by putting at its disposal information that was useful and necessary for the public". The council said it "deplored" the lack of print media in the country, and called on donors to help develop this sector. It also said it hoped to hold meetings with media executives once every three months in an effort to improve communications between the two sides.