US Urges Burundi To Rescind Ban On VOA, BBC - State Department

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd April, 2019) The United States is calling on the Burundi government to rescind its ban against US and British state-run media outlets Voice of America (VOA) and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

"The United States is deeply concerned by the government of Burundi's decision to extend indefinitely the suspension of broadcast by the Voice of America and to revoke the operating license of the British Broadcasting Corporation," Palladino said. "We call on the government to rescind its decision."

Palladino underscored that the decision by the government of Burundi raises concerns considering the right of freedom of expression in the country's constitution.

The United States urges the Burundi government to allow journalists to work in an environment free from intimidation.

The Burundi government had previously suspended the UK and US media outlets for six months before banning them indefinitely this week.

The government accuses both outlets of spreading disinformation in addition to concerns over the Voice of America hiring an opposition figure Patrick Nduwimana, a radio journalist, suspected of having a role in a failed coup attempt against President Pierre Nkurunziza in March 2015.