Congolese government asked to delay implementing online media decree
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) supports a request by Journalist in Danger (JED) and other journalists’ groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a delay in the implementation of a new decree regulating online media, so that it can be amended.
At the end of a meeting organized by JED on 21 June, the journalists’ groups expressed deep concern about the decree issued by the communication and media ministry on 14 June, announcing that new news websites would have to register with authorities before starting to operate, and existing news websites would have to register within 30 days.
“If implemented as it stands, in letter and spirit, this decree would have the effect of stifling online media and further reducing the space for freedom of expression in the run-up to major political events signalled by the announcement of elections,” JED secretary-general Tshivis Tshivuadi said.
RSF joins these groups in calling for a delay in implementing the decree so that changes can be made.
The DRC is ranked 154th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2018 World Press Freedom Index.
Democratic Republic of Congo
