DRC defense minister files, withdraws false news complaint against reporter Stanis Bujakera
On March 9, 2023, Congolese Minister of Defense Gilbert Kabanda filed a criminal complaint accusing journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala of publishing false rumors, according to news reports and a copy of that complaint, which CPJ reviewed. The complaint stemmed from a March 5 tweet by Bujakera, a correspondent for the France-based Jeune Afrique news website,…
DRC broadcaster Radio Tokomi Wapi suspended, police shutter station
On January 9, 2023, Congolese authorities ordered the suspension of the broadcaster Radio Tokomi Wapi, according to news reports, a copy of that order, which CPJ reviewed, and people familiar with the case who spoke to CPJ via messaging app. Pascal Ernest Mulumba Kalende, the minister of communication and media for Lomami province, ordered Radio…
DRC authorities detain 2 journalists for 48 hours over reporting on alleged secret jails
On January 5, 2023, Congolese authorities detained Sylvain Kiomba, editor-in-chief of the privately owned radio station Shilo FM, and Joseph Ebondo, a reporter at the station, in the city of Lubao in the country’s south-central Lomami province, according to Ebondo, who spoke to CPJ by phone, and a report by the local press freedom organization…
Two DRC radio stations suspended, transmitters seized over broadcasts criticizing politicians
On October 25, 2022, Bono Emakitshi, administrator of the Lodji territory in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s central Sankuru province, issued a directive suspending the operations of privately owned broadcasters Radio Losanganya and Radio Grand Tam-tam. Bono also ordered the outlets’ transmitters to be seized until further notice. Bono alleged that the outlets broadcast…
DRC journalist Olivier Makambu jailed over broadcast following defamation complaint
Kinshasa, November 23, 2022 – Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should immediately release journalist Olivier Makambu, drop all legal proceedings against him, and reform the country’s laws to ensure journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Wednesday, November 16, two police officers arrested Makambu, program director of…
French journalist Sonia Rolley expelled from DRC, denied accreditation
Kinshasa, November 9, 2022–Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must reverse their decision to expel journalist Sonia Rolley and cease all efforts to intimidate the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On the morning of Tuesday, November 8, the DRC’s immigration authorities, the Direction Générale des Migrations (DGM), summoned and expelled…
DRC soldiers attack journalist David Ramazani, police detain Janvier Bamunoba
Kinshasa, November 7, 2022 – Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should thoroughly and transparently investigate the soldiers who attacked journalist David Ramazani and the police who briefly detained journalist Janvier Bamunoba, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Bamunoba, a camera operator with the privately owned Buniaactualité TV broadcaster, was at the…
Congolese journalists face death threats as M23 rebels advance, flee for safety
Kinshasa, November 3, 2022 – As nearly two dozen Congolese journalists fled the eastern cities of Kiwanja and Rutshuru late last week out of fear for their lives, the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday urged all parties in the conflict there to ensure the safety and freedom of the press. On Saturday, October 29,…
DRC military detains, beats journalist Christophe Katembo Muthahinga
Kinshasa, October 31, 2022 — Authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo should thoroughly investigate and hold accountable the military officials and soldiers who detained and assaulted journalist Christophe Katembo Muthahinga over his traffic coverage in eastern North Kivu province, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. On October 19, four Congolese military intelligence…
DRC journalist Gauthier Sey Tshiang sentenced to one year in prison, fined over reports on public official
Kinshasa, October 7, 2022 — Authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo should not oppose journalist Gauthier Sey Tshiang’s appeal of his sentencing to one year in prison and a financial penalty over reporting about a public official, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On September 19, the Kinshasa Gombe Peace Court sentenced…