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Last week, Congo Government Communications and Broadcasting Commission (Conseil superérieur de l’audiovisuel et de la communications, CSAC) Suspended journalist Jessy Kabasele After an interview with one of the country’s most famous singers, Koffi Olomide; Le Panier Morning ShowIn the interview, Broadcast Speaking on the state broadcaster, Olomide criticised the military for responding too softly to attacks by the M23 rebels.
Congolese authorities have been cracking down on Rwandan-backed M23 Since hostilities resumed in North Kivu province in 2022, the rebel group has been the region’s top enemy.
CSAC accused Kabasele of failing to rephrase Olomide’s speech, saying it “undermined the tremendous efforts and sacrifices made by the government”. call Last week, Kabasele and Olomide were both charged, with Olomide’s lawyer reportedly meet Meeting with prosecutors on July 15.
Congo’s media regulator has been suppressing coverage of the conflict. In February, the CSAC published a report instruct It asked the media not to broadcast debates on Congolese army actions without the presence of at least one “relevant expert.” It also asked journalists to avoid discussing the topic in radio phone interviews and not to interview “negative forces,” a vague term that could easily be arbitrarily banned.
In April this year, CSAC Respected The media should no longer “broadcast information related to the insurgency in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo without citing official (government) sources”.
Although international human rights law allows governments to Derogatory Respect certain obligations freedom of speechhave Strict standards What the government can do and how it can do it. These standards include restrictions that have a clear legal basis, necessity, and proportionality, ensuring that the essence of free expression is protected, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart ideas and information. CSAC’s inferences about free expression and a free press do not meet the standards.
The cases of Olomide and Kabassele are reminiscent of other reporter and public figure These people have become targets of the authorities.
Jobs for Congolese journalists working in the Eastern Province Full of danger Their dedication and commitment are to be commended. Rather than punishing journalists and citizens for expressing their views during a crisis that is devastating the country, authorities should protect the rights of journalists to work safely and freely.
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