(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 14 September 2004 CPJ press release: Fragile Freedom A Special Report: Unrest Shatters Press Freedom in Democratic Republic of Congo New York, September 14, 2004-Freedom of the press suffered major setbacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year after Rwandan-backed rebels led an insurrection in the eastern city […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 14 September 2004 CPJ press release:
Fragile Freedom
A Special Report: Unrest Shatters Press Freedom in Democratic Republic of Congo
New York, September 14, 2004-Freedom of the press suffered major setbacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year after Rwandan-backed rebels led an insurrection in the eastern city of Bukavu, according to a new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The government issued three directives restricting news coverage, authorities imprisoned four journalists, and attackers allegedly led by an army officer severely beat another journalists, all during a two-month period surrounding the June unrest. CPJ’s investigation also found that rebels forced Bukavu’s three main community radio stations to close and threatened at least four journalists, forcing them to flee.
These new attacks on the DRC press are explored in “Fragile Freedom,” a special report by Julia Crawford, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator. The report, released today, is based on a two-week mission to the central African nation, more than 20 interviews, and a visit with the imprisoned journalists.
The attacks reflect fundamental and ongoing obstacles to press freedom that include continuing government censorship, a climate of violence and insecurity, and the use of outdated laws to imprison journalists who offend authorities.
A CPJ delegation led by Chairman David Laventhol presented the report today to Ileka Atoki, DRC Ambassador to the United Nations. Atoki promised to deliver the report to his government.
To read the full report, visit: http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2004/DRC_9_04/DRC_9_04.html
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.cpj.org.
