Articles by Journaliste en danger (JED)
Journalist suspended for three months, programme cancelled over “inappropriate remarks”
(JED/IFEX) – On 23 May 2008, Eddy Abasiko Mango, a journalist with the Kisangani-based station of state-owned Radio Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC), was suspended for three months by Bwande Bwanapuwa, the station’s provincial manager, for hosting a programme where guests criticised the provincial governor. In his 21 May political programme called “Loba Toyoka” (Speak and […]
Privately-owned broadcaster target of defamation campaign
(JED/IFEX) – Since 24 May 2008, Radio Television Mwangaza (RTM), a privately-owned station broadcasting in Lubumbashi, capital of Katanga province (southeastern DR Congo), has been the target of a slander campaign organised by Honoré Kazadi Lukonde, alias Ngube Ngube, a reported supporter of Katanga Governor Moise Katumbi Chapwe. During a 24 May press conference held […]
JED welcomes acquittal of murdered journalist Serge Maheshe’s two friends, deplores unfair trial
(JED/IFEX) – In a verdict made public on 21 May 2008, the Military Appeals Court in Bukavu (capital of South-Kivu province, eastern DR Congo) sentenced to death Freddy Bisimwa Matabaro and Mugisho Rwenzagabo, also known as Mastakila, the two alleged assassins of journalist Serge Maheshe, and discharged his two friends and eyewitnesses of the crime, […]
Journalist receives death threats from leader of armed group
(JED/IFEX) – On 10 May 2008, Austere Malivika Yalala, a journalist with Radio Télévision Nationale Congolaise’s (RTNC) local Butembo and correspondent for the South Africa-based Radio Canal Afrique, received a death threat. The caller, who introduced himself as Captain Ndaliko of the Congolese Party of Resistance (PARECO, an armed group based in eastern RD Congo), […]
French journalist forced to leave country after authorities “definitively” withdraw her accreditation
(JED/IFEX) – The following is an abridged version of a JED press release: JED expresses deep anger and indignation upon learning of the Chadian government’s decision to “definitively” withdraw the accreditation of journalist Sonia Rolley, a correspondent with Agence France Presse (AFP) and Radio France International (RFI). Without authorisation to work in Chad, on the […]
Editor of private newspaper abducted, detained in secret location following publication of articles about president’s health
(JED/IFEX) – On 7 March 2008, Nsimba Embete Ponte, the editor of the privately-owned twice-weekly newspaper “L’interprète”, published in Kinshasa, was abducted by unidentified armed men near a bus stop in the Kinshasa neighbourhood of Masina. The journalist is being held in a secret location and the official motives for his arrest remain unknown. According […]
Group of demobilised soldiers raids privately-owned radio station
(JED/IFEX) – On 1 February 2008, a group of individuals including five demobilised soldiers of the Burundian army raided Radio publique africaine (RPA), a privately-owned radio station based in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Witnesses told JED that “the demobilised soldiers belonged to the faction of the Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie-Force […]
Journalist sentenced to one-year prison term and fined for making “damaging allegations”
(JED/IFEX) – On 12 February 2008, Justin Kabasele, a journalist with Radio-Télévision Kasaï Horizons (KHRT), a privately-owned broadcaster based in Mwene-Ditu, the second largest city of eastern Kasaï province (central DR Congo) was sentenced to a one-year prison term and a 750,000 CF (approx. US$1,400) fine for making “damaging allegations” by a Mwene-Ditu court. On […]