Shikiriza newspaper is a Burundian publication based in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. It was founded by a group of young students and journalists with the aim of addressing the underrepresentation of young talents, start-ups, marginalized communities, and minorities in both Burundian and international media. This primarily online newspaper focuses on the socio-economic issues facing the country, with particular emphasis on children, youth, women, and other underrepresented groups, including indigenous peoples and individuals living with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Launched in January 2021 by young journalists passionate about improving the promotion of youth, children, women, and their various initiatives, Shikiriza Newspaper was officially approved by the National Communication Council (CNC) on February 28, 2022. This approval came after a year of operating as a blog, where these journalists collaborated on different themes that inspired start-ups and promoted entrepreneurial initiatives, particularly those led by youth and women.
Although still in its early stages, our media organization is a well-structured entity. It operates a functional accounting system, managed by an experienced and trustworthy accountant, supported by a human resources officer. Financial management is conducted with great care and transparency.
In terms of organization, Shikiriza Newspaper is led by a competent Editor-in-Chief, with a dedicated publisher overseeing our articles. As our newspaper uses various languages, there is also a head of department for each language, including Kiswahili, to promote this important language in the EAC but less used by the Burundian media.
One of the core missions of Shikiriza newspaper is to promote entrepreneurial initiatives and advocate for the rights of the aforementioned target groups.
The newspaper’s vision is to transform the community into one where children, youth, and women are not only promoted and respected but also inspired and empowered to thrive.
As a platform for expression, visibility, learning, and exchange, Shikiriza newspaper aspires to be a pioneer among Burundian online newspapers. It seeks to stand out through its creative and innovative services, as well as the professional manner in which it collects, processes, and disseminates information.
To achieve this, Shikiriza newspaper, an online newspaper created by and for the youth – particularly focusing on youth, children, women, and underrepresented communities – has recently redefined its strategies and approaches to successfully fulfill its missions and achieve its vision and objectives.
As part of these efforts, the newspaper launched initiatives aimed at combating disinformation, countering hate speech, and tackling the misuse of social media. This includes the promotion of media literacy to equip audiences with the tools to critically engage with information, the promotion of investigative journalism, etc.
hikiriza newspaper has also placed a strong emphasis on reporting, processing, and disseminating news from remote rural areas. This approach aims to diversify its sources, ensure balanced coverage, and decentralize its services.
In addition to its website, Shikiriza newspaper is active on different social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and very soon on sound cloud.