(JED/IFEX) – At least a dozen journalists, presenters and technicians of Canal Kin Television, a private television channel owned by Vice-President Jean-Pièrre Bemba, based in Kinshasa, visited JED to voice complaints about attacks and threats which have reportedly been made against them by unknown persons for several days. Some told JED that they had received […]
(JED/IFEX) – At least a dozen journalists, presenters and technicians of Canal Kin Television, a private television channel owned by Vice-President Jean-Pièrre Bemba, based in Kinshasa, visited JED to voice complaints about attacks and threats which have reportedly been made against them by unknown persons for several days.
Some told JED that they had received visits from unknown persons as well as anonymous phone calls threatening them with death if they did not stop working for Mr. Bemba. Others attest to having been targeted by armed men. They expressed disbelief at how they have managed to “miraculously” escape these attacks. This situation has forced them to go into hiding.
At the end of their testimonies, JED encouraged the journalists to be cautious and vigilant and to respect journalistic practices and ethics, which are the only shields to ensure their safety during this difficult period.
To recall, following armed clashes, which occurred in Kinshasa after the publication of the presidential election partial results, the two private television stations owned by Mr. Bemba, namely Canal Kin television station and Canal Congo television station, were shut down on 21 August 2006, by an abrupt cutting of their signals. This came on the orders of the minister of information and press, Mr. Mova Sakanyi, who is a member of the presidential party, PPRD. The ruling party has accused these media outlets of carrying out a campaign of “incitement to hatred and violence” through their political programming.
