IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

20 May 2003

Journalists from the private press roughed up during public rally

SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - In a 19 May 2003 letter to Mulegwa Zihindula, a spokesperson
for President Joseph Kabila, JED protested the harassment and humiliation
suffered by journalists during a public rally held along Kinshasa's Triompha
l Boulevard on 17 May. Several journalists also received death threats. The
organisation is particularly shocked by these incidents since the targeted
journalists were officially accredited by the office of the president to
cover the march commemorating the Kabila regime's sixth year in power.

According to 19 May press reports, Kadima Baruani, a journalist and
cameraman with the private television station Télé Kin Malebo (TKM), was
prevented from filming the march. Soldiers claiming to be from the
Intelligence Services confiscated his camera and press card. They accused
Baruani of filming too close to President Kabila, who led the day's
ceremonies. The journalist's equipment had still not been returned to him by
the afternoon of 19 May.

In addition, a group of journalists from the private press were also
manhandled during the 17 May rally. They were beaten up and prevented from
carrying out their work on the pretext that they did not have the official
badges necessary to cover the rally.

JED notes that contrary to their colleagues from public media outlets,
journalists from the private press are often victims of violent attacks and
discrimination at official events, even when they are in possession of the
required accreditation.

JED remarks that these incidents constitute serious violations of press
freedom and of the public's right to information. Yet, these rights are
guaranteed under the new constitution recently signed by President Kabila.

JED urged Zihindula, who oversees journalists' accreditation with the
presidency, to make every effort to identify and punish those responsible
for these violent incidents. The organisation also asked him to take the
necessary measures to guarantee the safety of journalists, so that they can
work without fear of harassment. Finally, JED asked the presidential
spokesperson to see to it that TKM's confiscated equipment is returned
promptly.

For further information, contact D. M'Baya Tshimanga, president, Journaliste
en danger (JED), B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1, Democratic Republic of Congo, tel.
+243 99 29 323/345, fax: +243 88 01 625, e-mail: [email protected],
[email protected], Internet: http://www.jed-congo.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of JED.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit JED.
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