DRC: Journalism is not a crime

“You know like me that the work of the journalist, although noble, is a difficult exercise especially linked to the context of North Kivu and particularly in this period of state of siege”. It is in this term that the president of the National Union of the Press of Congo, UNPC, North Kivu section, Rosalie Zawadi painted the context of the journalist’s work. It was during the celebration of International Press Day on May 3, 2022 in Goma.

The Collective of Radios and Televisions of North Kivu, CORACON in partnership with the UNPC brought together 112 journalists today to reflect on the theme: ” The press under the influence digital”.

On this occasion, the journalists exchanged directly with the police mayor of the city of Goma and the representative of the military governor. Some journalists have complained that they are sometimes arrested in the line of duty. Tuver Wundi, correspondent for Journaliste en Danger, JED/Nord-Kivu made a plea to the authorities present in the room, asking them to promote a peaceful working climate for journalists. Advocacy that the Coordinator of the office of experts in the office of the military governor  promises to expose to his hierarchy.

 Rosalie Zawadi recalled, in her speech, that many journalists’ groups continue to demand: “The decree of a moratorium on the arrests of journalists for acts committed in the exercise of their function, the end of custodial sentences for press offenses and a complete revision of the law of 1996 on the exercise of journalism in the country and the establishment of a mechanism dedicated to the safety of journalists »< /p>

In Reporters Without Borders’ 2022 ranking, the Democratic Republic of Congo, abbreviated to DRC, is ranked 125^th out of the 180 countries in the world. JED has denounced 75 press freedom attacks over the past 6 months. Celebrations like this May 3 are important for journalists to discuss the challenges of the profession of journalism and find possible solutions

In addition to the international theme, the national theme that the UNPC has chosen is: Journalism is not a crime.  The day of May 3 serves: “To remind governments of the need to respect their commitments in favor of freedom of the press, as a moment of reflection for the professional media on questions relating to freedom of the press and ethics. Equally important, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media that are targets for the restriction or abolition of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO