Bonesha FM seeks 500 million Burundian francs in 45 days
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Breaking Burundi
Burundian independent radio station Bonesha FM has launched a campaign in Bujumbura to raise 500 million Burundian francs to address its financial difficulties. The operation will last 45 days and aims to keep the station operating, its director, Léon Masengo, announced at its launch on 30 October.
Burundian independent radio station Bonesha FM launched a 45-day fundraising campaign in Bujumbura on Friday to raise 500 million Burundian francs and maintain its activities. The station’s director, Léon Masengo, called on listeners, Burundians abroad, businesses and development partners to contribute, according to Breaking Burundi.
Named ‘I Support Bonesha Because I Have the Right to Information’, the campaign is also intended to raise public awareness of the cost of producing news. Léon Masengo said the station continued to broadcast its programmes despite growing financial difficulties, but that managing them was becoming increasingly difficult, according to Breaking Burundi.
Bonesha FM says it wants to use the 45-day fundraising period to explain the role of radio and improve its services. Like other Burundian media outlets, the station faces rising operating costs, falling advertising revenue, fuel shortages, power cuts and limited internet access. These constraints also affect journalists, who face low salaries, delayed payments and precarious working conditions in a sector described in the article on the difficulties facing Burundian media.
