Burundi

Several journalists from the online news agency in-burundi.net were beaten up by police in Bujumbura in early January 2002 while investigating the torture by state intelligence service agents of a watchman arrested in the previous month's murder of Kassi Malan, the World Health Organisation's representative in Burundi. The police warned the journalists they "could come to the same end." The National Communications Council banned Burundian media websites on 26 August 2002 from posting material emanating from political groups "preaching hatred and violence." This was chiefly aimed at the Rugamba website of the Net Press news agency, which carried statements by opposition groups. The Council threatened to shut down Net Press if Rugamba did not stop posting material that "undermines public order and security." Online news agency In-Burundi.net Rugamba (Net Press news agency)