(JED/IFEX) – In a 13 November 2002 press release, the Kinshasa-based independent daily “Le Potentiel” complained that for the past four months, electrical power has been unavailable in the neighbourhood where its printing facilities are located. The newspaper noted that the problem is limited to that specific area, and that the power supply has been […]
(JED/IFEX) – In a 13 November 2002 press release, the Kinshasa-based independent daily “Le Potentiel” complained that for the past four months, electrical power has been unavailable in the neighbourhood where its printing facilities are located. The newspaper noted that the problem is limited to that specific area, and that the power supply has been uninterrupted in the printing facilities’ surrounding areas.
Citing a well-placed source, “Le Potentiel” stated that its editorial stance had angered certain public figures, and that as a consequence, the state-run national electric company (Société nationale d’électricité, SNEL) had reportedly received a government order to cut off the electrical supply of the neighbourhood where the “Recto-Verso” printer is located.
“Le Potentiel”‘s editorial offices, located in downtown Kinshasa, have also been the target of regular power outages. The newspaper has also been subject to other pressure, including telephone threats.
“Le Potentiel” has been able to continue publishing without interruption because it uses a backup gasoline-powered generator, which has unfortunately also increased the newspaper’s production costs.
