Congolese soldiers arrest, beat 3 journalists covering land dispute
Kinshasa, June 30, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must hold accountable the soldiers who arrested and beat journalists Jeef Ngoyi, Marie-Louise Malou Mbela, and Jiresse Nkelani, and cease detaining journalists covering the news, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Wednesday, June 28, at least 12 soldiers from the Armed Forces…
Governor of DRC’s Equateur province defies court order allowing Radio Télévision Sarah to reopen
Kinshasa, June 13, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo must comply with the court decision authorizing Radio Télévision Sarah to reopen and ensure the broadcaster’s equipment is returned, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On June 6, a local court of appeal in Mbandaka, the capital of the northwestern Equateur province, declared the…
Congolese journalist Geonne Djokwa attacked with machete while covering protest
Kinshasa, May 26, 2023—Congolese authorities must investigate the recent attack on journalist Geonne Djokwa and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On Saturday, May 20, a group of protesters at a rally organized by opposition presidential candidates in Kinshasa, the capital, attacked Djokwa while she covered demonstrators clashing with…
DRC enacts press law and digital code that criminalize journalism
New York, May 23, 2023—DRC authorities should swiftly reform the country’s new press law and digital code to ensure journalism is not criminalized and the media can work without undue restrictions or fear of prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. In April, Congolese authorities enacted new laws governing the press and online activity,…
DRC authorities detain 2 journalists, threaten another with arrest
Kinshasa, April 14, 2023–Congolese authorities should immediately release journalists Gustave Bakuka and Diègo Kayiba, ensure the safety of journalist Sylvain Kabongo, and drop all legal proceedings and investigations against them connected to their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Around 9 a.m. on Friday, April 14, three Congolese National Intelligence Agency (ANR) agents…
Congolese journalist Mills Tshibangu detained overnight in defamation case
Kinshasa, April 7, 2023—Congolese authorities should drop their criminal defamation investigation into journalist Mills Tshibangu and ensure he can work without fear of arrest or prosecution, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On April 2, a group of about 12 police officers arrested Tshibangu, director of the privately owned online broadcaster Chat Television, while…
Congolese journalist John Ngongo Lomango arrested over conflict reporting
Kinshasa, March 28, 2023—Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should release journalist John Ngongo Lomango immediately and ensure that media can report freely on the conflict in the country’s east, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday. On the afternoon of Monday, March 27, three officers with the National Intelligence Agency arrested Ngongo,…
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…