Fatshimetrie is a matter of touch, a concept that evokes energy, vitality and power. It is the art of navigating through the curves of life with confidence and grace, embracing one’s own beauty and inner strength. But this energy can sometimes be hindered, stifled by external forces that seek to control it, to censor it.
On this November 2, 2024, a day dedicated to the fight against impunity for crimes committed against journalists, the organization Journaliste en danger (JED) publishes its annual report entitled “New Press Law, New Abuses Against Journalists: The New Faces of Censorship in the DR Congo”. This report reveals a disturbing reality: despite legislative advances in press freedom, the situation of journalists in the DR Congo remains worrying, especially in a context marked by persistent armed conflicts in the east of the country.
Journalists, in search of truth and transparency, often find themselves on the front lines, exposed to risks and threats. Recent attacks on the media in the eastern provinces reveal increasing violence against those who dare to defy prohibitions and seek the truth. Between the demands of political power and the dangers on the ground, journalists find themselves trapped, forced to choose between their duty to inform and their personal safety.
Despite the adoption of a new press law in 2023, press freedom in the DR Congo remains weakened by attempts at censorship and political control. The authorities, under the pretext of national security, are trying to stifle dissenting voices and impose a uniform discourse in the media. The decisions of the Higher Council for Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC) in February 2024, aimed at restricting media coverage of armed conflicts and limiting debates on military operations, demonstrate a desire to control information.
Faced with this alarming situation, Journaliste en danger calls on the government to respect the fundamental principles of the rule of law, to protect freedom of expression and to guarantee the safety of journalists. JED’s recommendations call for the lifting of censorship measures, the prosecution of those responsible for attacks on journalists and the removal of criminal sanctions related to press offences.
In conclusion, freedom of expression is an essential pillar of any democratic society. By muzzling the press and restricting the free flow of information, the authorities are compromising the very foundations of democracy. It is therefore crucial to defend freedom of the press, to protect journalists and to guarantee a safe and free environment for the exercise of their profession. Because it is by allowing the truth to be expressed freely that we build a fairer and more enlightened future for all.