Journalist in Danger:REPUBLIC OF CONGO

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 14 July 2008
TV journalist released after overnight detention for allowing criticism of local authorities to be aired
SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa; Reporters sans frontiers (RSF), Paris
Reporters Without Borders and its partner organisation in Democratic Republic of Congo, Journalist in Danger (JED), are relieved to learn that Mila Dipenge of privately-owned TV station Télé Kindu Maniema in Kindu, the capital of the eastern province of Maniema, was released at midday on 11 July 2008.
A programme host and cameraman, Dipenge was arrested on 10 July by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR).
"Dipenge was held for 24 hours by ANR agents for allowing Kindu residents to express their views," the two organisations said. "We firmly condemn such behaviour by the intelligence services and we point out they have no legal authority to raid a news media. This act of intimidation at the behest of a senior political figure must not recur."

The host of a daily programme called "The people have the word," Dipenge was released at 12:45 p.m. today after spending 24 hours being held by the ANR. He was arrested yesterday morning, when ANR agents carried out a raid on the studios of Télé Kindu Maniema, the local branch of Tele Kin Malebo.
Local sources said the raid was ordered by Governor Lingo because Dipenge allowed criticism of the local authorities to be voiced on the air.
People interviewed on 8 and 9 July criticised increases in taxes on local businessmen and retailers. The governor was said to have been particularly irked by a money-changer's comment that: "We like Kabila, but we no longer want the people he has installed here."

The TV station's recordings of its programmes were seized after the raid, while local financial and administrative officials began an audit of the station. One of the oldest TV stations in Maniema province, Télé Kindu Maniema is owned by an opposition senator.

For further information, contact D. M'Baya Tshimanga, President, JED, B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1, Democratic Republic of Congo, tel: +243 819 929 323, +243 999 996 353, +243 819 898 076, fax: +44 207 504 3544, e-mail: direction@jed-afrique.org, Internet: http://www.jed-afrique.org/; ou Léonard Vincent, RSF, 47, rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 76, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: africa@rsf.org, Internet:
http://www.rsf.org/
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of JED and RSF. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit JED and RSF.

17 July 2008
JED employees receive death threats
SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris
http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/archives/news/world/20070824-france-ivory-coast-canadian-journalist-murdered-kieffer.php

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has written an open letter to President Joseph Kabila, who begins a two-day state visit to France on 16 July 2008, voicing its concern about threats made recently against its partner organisation in Democratic Republic of Congo, Journalist en Danger (JED).
HE Joseph Kabila
President of the Republic
National Palace
Kinshasa-Gombe
Democratic Republic of Congo
Paris, 16 July 2008

Dear Mr. President,

As you arrive on an official visit to France, Reporters Without Borders would like to draw your attention to the threats that have been made against the press freedom group Journalist en Danger (JED), our partner organisation in Democratic Republic of Congo.

On 7 July, JED received an anonymous email from the address patrie.pprdv@yahoo.com denigrating the organisation and making death threats. The message said: "Many people have already paid the price and that could happen to you at any time especially as we are here with you and you cannot identify us. We could have easily done it already, but the time will come." A man identifying himself as the author of the 7 July email made a threatening phone call to one of the JED members a week later from this number: +243 81 86 83 879.

We regard Journalist en Danger as an essential partner in our activities on behalf of press freedom. It received the 15th annual Reporters Without Borders - Fondation de France prize in 2006 and the independence and accuracy of its work is recognized by the international community. JED is a major asset for your country and is playing a key role in the transition of which you are in charge.

We therefore ask you to ensure that JED's members are protected and to do everything you can to put a stop to the threats against them. We have strong reasons to fear that these threats could be carried out.
We already voiced our exasperation and concern in September 2007 about the grave threats being made against JED executive-director Donat M'Baya Tshimanga and secretary-general Tshivis Tshivuadi, which resulted in their having to leave the country temporarily. We trust you will give this matter your careful consideration.

Sincerely,

Robert Ménard
Secretary-General

For further information on the Tshimanga and Tshivuadi cases, see:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/86166

For further information, contact Léonard Vincent, RSF, 47, rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 76, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: africa@rsf.org, Internet: http://www.rsf.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of RSF.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.

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