August
The Private Press, THREATENED, CENSORED
In mid-August, the government issued a decree banning all of Congo's 15 private newspapers and magazines and ordered the seizure of all existing copies. The government accused media owners of violating a new press law that requires the private press to obtain commercial licenses. Minister for Communication and Democratic Culture Albertine Lipou-Massala ordered members of the private press to comply within 15 days, and warned them to conduct themselves "properly" during a scheduled visit by French President Jacques Chirac and an upcoming pan-African Music Festival, and on the upcoming holiday, National Day.

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