The Media Charter Against Hate Speech during Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was officially presented on Thursday, August 3, 2023 in Kinshasa by Next Corp, a company specializing in online media and information. This event brought together many personalities from the media, politics and civil society, all united with the aim of promoting responsible and respectful journalism in the DRC.
This charter is based on Article 5 of the Congolese Journalist’s Code of Ethics, which calls on media professionals to ban insult, defamation, distortion of facts, lies, incitement to hatred and the apology of negative values in the exercise of their profession.
Composed of ten key commitments, this charter proposes concrete measures to counter hate speech during elections. Among these commitments, we find in particular the establishment of mechanisms for reporting hate speech on digital platforms, as well as the commitment not to give a platform to hate mongers, whether they are influencers or social actors. policies.
According to Next Corp. officials, this initiative was made possible thanks to the active contribution of media representatives and experts from prominent professional organizations such as the Congolese Union of Media Women, the Congolese Association of Women Journalists of the written press, the Online Media Association of the DRC, the National Union of the Congo Press as well as the Higher Council for Communication and the Media.
A scientific committee made up of eminent personalities has meticulously drafted this charter, with the aim of promoting journalistic integrity and respect for ethical standards. Several workshops have enriched the text with the contribution of experts from professional media organizations and NGOs supporting quality journalism.
In conclusion, the Media Charter against Hate Speech during Elections in the DRC represents a major initiative for the protection of journalistic integrity and the promotion of responsible and respectful journalism. It thus marks an important step towards combating hate speech and promoting a healthier media environment during elections