Democratic Republic of the Congo

2019

  
Taxis in Kinshasa in June 2019. Police in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital detained a journalist for five days over a criminal defamation complaint. (AFP/John Wessels)

Congolese journalist detained for five days over defamation complaint

On October 21, 2019, police arrested Achiko Ngaya, editor of the privately owned newspaper Les Nouvelles du Soir, in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ngaya told CPJ. The journalist said he was detained for five days and charged with criminal defamation.

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An aerial view shows a crowd gathered outside the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) headquarters in Kinshasa on May 30, 2019, as supporters await the return of the remains of former Congolese Prime Minister and opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who died in Belgium in 2017. A Congolese radio journalist was attacked by UDPS supporters at a Kinshasa rally on October 5, 2019. (AFP/Alexis Huguet)

Congolese radio journalist attacked by ruling party supporters at Kinshasa rally

On October 5, 2019, Dominique Dinanga, a reporter for the privately owned Top Congo FM radio station, was attacked by supporters of the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party at a rally in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where former Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala was to receive…

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CPJ calls on SADC heads of state to prioritize press freedom and the safety of journalists

CPJ writes to the executive secretary and heads of state of the Southern African Development Community ahead of the 39th Ordinary Summit, urging them to prioritize press freedom and the safety of journalists in SADC.

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Congolese police officers hold back members of the media in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on January 12, 2019. Journalist Steeve Mwanyo Iwewe was recently fined and sentenced to one year in jail for insulting the governor of Équateur province. (Jerome Delay/AP)

Congolese journalist jailed for one year for insulting governor

Cape Town, March 14, 2019 — Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo should not oppose journalist Steeve Mwanyo Iwewe’s appeal of a year-long prison sentence for insulting a provincial governor, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Late voters check a list in a school in Kinshasa on December 30, during Democratic Republic of Congo's general elections. Authorities have cut internet access and blocked the signals to at least two news broadcasters while the results are counted. (AFP/Luis Tato)

DRC authorities cut internet and broadcast signals after election

New York, January 3, 2019–Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo should immediately take steps to ensure citizens have access to the internet and news outlets as the country awaits the results of its election, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The government has cut access to internet and SMS services, blocked the signals…

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2019