The High Council for Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC) met in plenary on Friday May 26, 2023 to review the precautionary measures it had taken against the television channel CML13TV, the presenter of the special edition “ Libre Opinion”, as well as the guests of this program.
Following heated debates, CSAC decided to reduce the channel’s suspension from 45 to 30 days and to increase the host’s suspension from 72 to 90 days. In addition, MPs Mike Mukebayi and Daniel Safu will no longer be able to appear in the media broadcasting in Kinshasa for 90 days.
During the special edition, host Louis-France Kuzikeza and his guests Mike Mukebayi and Daniel Safu conveyed a form of hate speech as well as remarks inciting violence against a tribe and personal attacks. These offenses were considered by the CSAC to be against all the fundamental principles and all the rules of the journalistic profession.
This led to a suspension of Louis-France Kuzikesa from all the media in the DRC for a period of 72 days with the possibility of disciplinary sanctions on the part of the corporation of journalists (UNPC). Deputies Mike Mukebayi and Daniel Safu were deprived of appearing in the media broadcasting in Kinshasa for a period of 90 days, considering their deliberate desire to jeopardize national cohesion.
The CSAC also requested the collaboration of the media for the strict application of these measures and recommended to the parliamentary chambers concerned to open disciplinary actions to discourage this delinquency in the media.
This case shows the extent to which hate speech and statements inciting violence are severely repressed in the DRC, even among political figures. The CSAC remains vigilant to protect national cohesion and avoid any form of propagation of hatred in the media