Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1730
2006-11-09 14:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

MEDIA REGULATORY BODY BARS POLITICIANS FROM THE AIR,

Tags:  PGOV KDEM KPAO CG ELECTIONS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHKI #1730 3131441
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R 091441Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5136
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 001730 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: MEDIA REGULATORY BODY BARS POLITICIANS FROM THE AIR,
SUSPENDS VARIOUS MEDIA

REF: KINSHASA 1701

Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution.

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001730

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: MEDIA REGULATORY BODY BARS POLITICIANS FROM THE AIR,
SUSPENDS VARIOUS MEDIA

REF: KINSHASA 1701

Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution.


1. (U) Summary: Over the past week, the High Media Authority (HAM)
sanctioned or warned several politicians for proclaiming the victory
of either presidential candidate, and for other provocative speech.
Three newspapers were suspended for election-related infractions. A
number of television and radio stations are also suspended, pending
submission of their required program schedules. End summary.

Politicians Fingered
--------------


2. (U) The HAM November 3 imposed a seven-day ban on public
statements by Olivier Kamitatu, the coordinator of the pro-Kabila
Alliance for the Presidential Majority (AMP),and Joseph
Olenghankoy, the campaign director of Jean-Pierre Bemba's Union for
the Nation. On November 2, Olenghankoy publicly proclaimed the
victory of Jean-Pierre Bemba, just days after the October 29
presidential election. Kamitatu made similar claims on a pro-Kabila
TV station, based on a broad extrapolation of partial vote tallies
announced by the Independent Electoral Commission November 5. On
November 8, the HAM banned PPRD MP Francis Kalombo for seven days
for suggesting that members of the Bemba camp were leaving the
country.


3. (U) The HAM announced November 8 a warning against Finance
Minister Marco Banguli and against Franck Djongo, a pro-Bemba member
of parliament. They are accused of using offensive language,
respectively, on pro-Kabila Digital Congo television and on Bemba's
CCTV.

Publications Suspended
--------------


4. (U) The pro-Kabila weekly "Le Soft 2 International" received a
one-month suspension for publishing November 6 unofficial election
results and headlining on several pages that Kabila had won,
contrary to electoral law. "L'Avenir", a pro-Kabila daily, received
a two-day suspension for publishing the same day an article alleging
that Bemba's wife and children had gone to Western Europe in
anticipation of a Bemba defeat and violence.


5. (U) Before that suspension went into effect, "L'Avenir" published
an article November 7 which was judged defamatory with respect to
Jean-Pierre Bemba, earning it a three-day suspension beginning
November 11. The weekly and pro-Bemba "Africa News" was suspended
November 8 for one month for a November 7 article claiming the
existence of a plot against Bemba.

Electronic Media Suspended for Procedural Flaws
-------------- --


6. (U) Several television and radio stations were suspended starting
November 9, until they submit their required weekly programming
schedule to the HAM. They are RTP TV, Moliere TV, Mirador TV,
Mirador FM radio, radio Elikya, RTP, Reveil FM, radio ECC, Canal
Futur and Radio Parole de l'Eternel.


4. (SBU) Comment: The HAM continues to take seriously its task of
reining in partisan media. Notwithstanding the HAM's efforts,
however, the camps of the two presidential candidates will continue
to turn to their media outlets to promote their frequently distorted
interpretation of the results. End comment

MEECE