Three broadcasters are back on the air following a two-day suspension of their activities.
(JED/IFEX) – On 17 February 2012, at midnight local time, three broadcasters were back on the air following a two-day suspension of their activities. Radio Télévision Catholique Elikya (RTCE), a religious broadcaster, and pro-opposition broadcasters Canal Congo Télévision (CCTV) and Canal Kin Télévision (CKTV) had been affected by this abrupt, unannounced service interruption. All three stations are based in Kinshasa, the capital.
Journaliste en danger (JED) learned that the broadcasters were allowed back on the air following a meeting between their representatives and Lambert Mende, the minister of communications and media. Several sources told JED that RTCE was accused of airing “propaganda” about a peaceful march planned by Catholics for 16 February. The march was intended to mark the 20th anniversary of a massacre of Christians and also to protest results of the 28 November elections. CCTV and CKTV were accused of airing commercials by the Catholic Church promoting the march.
JED condemns these acts of censorship that are intended to systematically deny the opposition its means of expression.
