The history of the Congolese private press is unfortunately marked by financial difficulties which have led to the closure of numerous newspapers in recent years. Around thirty weeklies had to close down due to lack of financial resources and sufficient subsidies. This precarious situation has left a large void in the Congolese media landscape, thus depriving readers of access to a plurality of information and perspectives.
The promoters of these newspapers which had to cease their activities point to the lack of financing as the main cause of their closure. Indeed, these publications rely mainly on revenue from sales and advertising to cover their operating costs. Unfortunately, the market is very small and financial resources are limited. The founders of these newspapers often failed to raise the capital needed to keep their businesses afloat over the long term.
Interestingly, the business model of many of these newspapers was based on financial support from politicians. When the latter decided to withdraw their support, the financial viability of the newspapers was seriously compromised, leading to their closure. This excessive dependence on political funding also highlights a lack of editorial independence, calling into question the objectivity of these publications.
Faced with this crisis in the private press, the idea of extending the audiovisual royalty (RAV) to the private press was put forward. The RAV is currently collected for the benefit of public media outlets and is deducted from each electricity bill. Supporters of the measure say it could provide vital financial support to struggling private newspapers. However, the obstacles are numerous and critics highlight the problems of transparency regarding the redistribution of funds collected by the RAV.
It is clear that the Congolese private press is going through a difficult period, and the consequences of the closure of many newspapers are being felt in Congolese society. Diversity of opinions, the right to information and freedom of the press are essential pillars of a healthy democracy. It is therefore essential to find lasting solutions to support the private press and guarantee the survival of independent and quality journalism in Congo.