Burundi bans 30 East African songs over ‘nudity’

The Government of Burundi has banned over 30 songs from playing on electronic media houses in the county.

The country’s communications regulator, the National Communication Council of Burundi (CNC) yesterday, Monday April 24^th issued a list of 33 songs, which is said were being banned effective immediately for promoting immorality.

“There are media houses that broadcast news, music or images that undermine morality and good morals. This led CNC to ban the broadcast of certain songs in the country,” the body announced.

Vestine Nahimana, the CNC President also warned during the press conference, in Bujumbura, against social media users who are using their platforms to make remarks “inciting political and/or ethnic hatred, denigration and exaggeration of facts, attack on public order and security, propagandist remarks and other shortcomings”

Most of the banned songs are produced by local artistes and those from across the border in Rwanda.

They include among others, 'Mpamagara' by Pizzo John and Davis D, Yvan Muziki’s 'Nyash' featuring DJ Pius, 'Ikinyafu' by Bruce Melodie, 'Inzoga N’Ibebi' by Double Jay, Kirikou and Bruce Melodie, 'Akadaje' by Alvin Smith and Juno Kizigenza, 'Ikinyafu' by Bruce Melodie and 'My Boo' by Afrique.

Nahimana said all the banned songs had content and language that “undermines Burundian culture values and norms, which is the main reason they were blocked from public consumption.”

She also noted that whoever is found playing the banned songs will be punished by the law, urging journalists and other players in the media sector to never fall in the trap of playing any of the songs.