http://www.insidevoa.com/content/crisis-in-burundi-voa-has-it-covered/2766373.html
VOA
Reporter Gabe Joselow in Bujumbura [caption]
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13,
2015 -- Voice of America is leading international coverage of the political
upheaval in Burundi with on-the-scene reporting and new programming in Kirundi,
Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili, and English.
VOA East Africa Correspondent
Gabe Joselow reported from the streets of Burundi's capital early Wednesday amid
reports of a coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza. He filmed thousands of
people cheering President Nkurunziza's apparent ouster, but also cautioned that
their celebrations may be premature as the depth of military support for coup
leader General Godefroid Niyombare was unclear.
VOA's Central Africa
Service broadcast General Niyombare's statement claiming power and balanced it
with an interview with President Nkurunziza's Interior Minister Edouard
Nduwimana, who said the coup had failed and the president was on his way back to
Bujumbura. VOA reporters in Burundi provided live updates on the standoff
outside the national radio station along with a series of interviews with
protestors.
The Central Africa Service broadcast White House Press
Secretary Josh Earnest's call for all sides to end the violence and his
pronouncement that the Obama administration continues to recognize President
Nkurunziza. The Service also spoke to opposition politician Hussein Radjab and
George Mason University professor Elavie Ndura while profiling General Niyombare
and his objection to President Nkurunziza running for a third term.
VOA's
Swahili Service reported from Dar es Salaam, where President Nkurunziza was
scheduled to meet with regional leaders to discuss Burundi's political crisis.
Swahili carried a statement from Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete condemning
the coup and calling for a postponement of next month's vote. The service also
interviewed Burundian opposition politician Agathon Rwasa, who backed removing
the president but objected to military rule.
VOA's French-to-Africa
Service preempted regular programming to focus on the crisis in Burundi. The
English-language television show Africa 54 led with original Joselow reporting
from Bujumbura and an on-set interview with Professor Ndura.
The
political upheaval follows President Nkurunziza's decision to run for
re-election, which his opponents say violates a regional peace accord limiting
the president to two terms. President Nkurunziza says he is not bound by those
limits because parliament voted him to his first term.
As clashes between
police and anti-government protesters increased, VOA this week began boosting
broadcasts to Burundi, adding shortwave and FM broadcasts in Kirundi,
Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, French, and English. VOA is now able to provide more
reporting from the ground, new drive-time newscasts, and an expanded call-in
show.
"The uncertainty of the situation in Burundi following the coup
attempt makes accurate reporting even more essential," says VOA Director David
Ensor. "Our coverage played a vital role before these events, and it is even
more important now to help keep our audiences informed." (VOA PR May 13 via
DXLD)
