The recent update of the world ranking of press freedom published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlighted the progress of the DRC with a position in 124th place out of 180 countries. Yet the situation remains precarious in some areas, notably in North Kivu where M23 activism has led to violence against the media and journalists forced to flee.
Eugene is the perfect example, a journalist in Rutshuru-center, he fled the region since October 2022 and took refuge in Goma. Today, he is trying to work from Goma, but the situation remains complicated. “Those who are outside the zone must, before dealing with questions relating to the situation of Rutshuru, think about the future of their dependents. Freedom is not total for journalists in this area at this time,” he notes.
A total of 68 journalists, from 18 media outlets in Masisi territory and Rutshuru territory, have arrived in the city of Goma since October 2022 according to local organizations. “Of 18 affected radios in the area, 10 started to rebroadcast. There are radio stations that do not know how to resume. They are indexed as black radio stations in the area,” explains Tuver Wundi, coordinator of the NGO Journaliste en danger (JED) in North Kivu.
However, if a dozen journalists wish to return to their respective circles, General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the army, dissuades them: “In this environment, the army is not there. There are soldiers from the regional force, the M23 and their allies. This does not commit us because we will not be able to protect them. The day we will be there, we will be able to ensure their protection.
Finally, the journalistic corporation has no news of the director of radio Mikeno de Bunagana, who has been missing since February 24