PRESS FREEDOM QUARTERLY: JULY-SEPTEMBER 2008

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001010 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM CG SUBJECT: PRESS FREEDOM QUARTERLY: JULY-SEPTEMBER 2008 REF: KINSHASA 767 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Congolese security forces continue to harass journalists. Intelligence agents arrested a journalist in Kindu, Maniema for allowing on-air criticism of local authorities. An anonymous official threatened a journalist in Kananga, Kasai Occidental for criticizing the state of teacher salaries. Media Minister Emile Bongeli directed a raid against Moliere TV station in Kinshasa for failing to pay certain fees. A Kinshasa court acquitted a Global TV technician of inciting rebellion in connection with the broadcast of an interview of BDK spiritual leader Ne Mwanda Nsemi. Kinshasa authorities have issued arrest warrants for two other Global TV employees for their participation in the interview. The weakness and lack of independence of the security forces makes them susceptible to manipulation. End summary. Detained by authorities -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On July 15, Reporters Without Borders and Journaliste en Danger (JED) reported that the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) released Mila Dipenge, a broadcaster for the Tele Kindu Maniema (TKM) TV station in Kindu, Maniema Province on July 11. ANR agents arrested Dipenge on July 10 and held him for 24 hours for allowing Kindu residents to express their views. Local sources said that Governor Lingo ordered the arrest because Dipenge allowed criticism of the local authorities to be broadcast. One particular comment reportedly especially upset the governor: "we like Kabila, but we no longer want the people he has installed here." JED told us on October 28 that Dipenge is currently free and continues to work at the TKM TV station. A threat and intimidation -------------- ¶3. (SBU) According to JED, Jeff Kande, a broadcast journalist with Radio-Television Amazone (RTA),a privately-owned station based in Kananga, Kasai Occidental Province, received an anonymous phone call threatening and intimidating him. The threat occurred during the August 20 broadcast of an RTA program entitled "Why not talk about it?" During the program, Kande reportedly predicted the 2008 school year would not begin on time, if teachers' salary demands were not met. While the program was still on the air, Kande received a phone call from an unknown individual saying, "if the start of the school year is boycotted on September 1, it's you who will take responsibility for the teachers; we know where you live and you will pay for it dearly." After the program, Kande went into temporary hiding. On October 28, JED confirmed to us that Kande was free and working at RTA. ¶4. (SBU) On September 25, local police raided the Moliere TV station in Kinshasa, according to JED. The policemen, allegedly under orders from Media Minister Emile Bongeli, looted the mixing console, a computer, a power generator, four TV sets, 2 video cameras, administrative files and carpets. They also detained two technicians, GB Bampale and Raidin Mpoyi, and threatened them with death before releasing them an hour later. According to JED, the cause of the raid was the bad relationship between Leon Nemba Lemba, the owner of the station, and Bongeli following Bongeli's threat to shut the station down because it had not submitted certain administrative documents and paid certain fees. Nemba Lemba said that Bongeli threatened him by saying, "as long as I am minister, your channel will not broadcast. I will crush you." JED told us that Nemba Lemba continues to receive threats and was not able to broadcast. Update -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Global TV technician Daudet Lukombo, arrested on September 12 during a police raid on the station (reftel),was released from Kinshasa's CPRK prison on October 28. The police originally charged Lukombo with inciting rebellion and held him for 48 hours in the police detention center known as Kin Maziere, before transferring him to a holding cell at the public prosecutor's office in Kinshasa/Gombe on September 14. On September 19, Lukombo appeared before a judge in the CPRK's council chambers for the confirmation of charges. ¶6. (SBU) The Kinshasa/Gombe Criminal Court acquitted Lukombo on October 28 on the grounds that "incitement to rebellion" is not legally punishable. At the same time, authorities issued arrest warrants for Global TV journalist Neve Natasha Makengele and cameraman Fanfan Koko for their participation in the September 12 interview of Bundu Dia Kongo (BDK) spiritual leader Ne Mwanda Nsemi. Authorities have charged the pair with inciting rebellion. In KINSHASA 00001010 002 OF 002 addition, they could also face charges of gravely offending the DRC Head of State. JED told us that Koko and Makengele are still in hiding. Despite the recent trouble, JED reports that the station resumed broadcasting September 20. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Some Congolese politicians continue to harass and intimidate journalists for reporting criticisms. These officials either actively encourage or, at the least, acquiesce when security forces carry out operations against disfavored journalists. Respect for freedom of speech and freedom of the press has yet to firmly take hold in the DRC. The weakness and lack of independence of the security forces makes them susceptible to manipulation. End comment. BROCK