CONGOLESE REPORTER'S TAKE ON CHINESE NEWS AGENCY'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001164 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR INR, RRU, IIP/G/AF, IIP/T/GIC, AF, EAP, NSC E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL SCUL CG SUBJECT: CONGOLESE REPORTER'S TAKE ON CHINESE NEWS AGENCY'S JOURNALISM SEMINAR: "IT WAS A MARKETING CAMPAIGN" KINSHASA 00001164 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A Congolese participant at a recent Chinese News Agency (CNA) seminar for African journalists in Nairobi told us the seminar was little more than a "marketing campaign" for CNA and the Chinese government. According to our contact, a discussion between CNA representatives and their guests on the issue of press freedom illustrated how important human rights concerns, particularly freedom of expression, are for African journalists, an issue CNA seems to have little interest in. Genuine interest here in press freedom is a problem for the Chinese but an opportunity for us to exercise greater influence vis-a-vis the Congolese media. End summary. A "marketing campaign" -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba of the independent Congolese newspaper L'Observateur (please protect) attended a seminar for African journalists sponsored by CNA in Nairobi on December 20-21. Bemba is an alumnus of a USG exchange program, as well as a stringer for Xinhua, the Chinese wire service and CNA affiliate. Bemba spoke at length to PDO shortly after his return from the seminar. ¶3. (SBU) Bemba described the CNA event as "a marketing campaign" with the goal of selling the Chinese news agency, and the Beijing government, to African journalists. A total of 17 African journalists attended, from several different countries. The other Congolese in attendance was the publishing director of "Le Potentiel," an independent Kinshasa newspaper known for its populist editorial positions, and its frequent criticism of Western nations and international institutions. Chinese reporting criticized -------------- ¶4. (SBU) According to Bemba, African journalists appreciated the substantive portions of the seminar, although much of the activities were geared toward promoting CNA's various activities on the continent. Currently, there are 19 CNA bureaus in Africa, including one in Kinshasa. A CNA official said the agency "is now the most important news service for developing countries." While many of the presentations were focused on selling the news agency (and China) to the guests, CNA representatives were also eager to listen to the African journalists, soliciting their opinions on the agency, and China's presence in Africa. Several guests criticized CNA for avoiding reports that might reflect badly upon China or its partners in Africa. A CNA representative responded by saying, "We don't want to report stories that make our friends look bad." Some African journalists replied that by refusing to criticize those in power, the agency was not fulfilling its responsibility. ¶5. (SBU) One African journalist tried to impress upon the organizers the importance of credibility. "If you want to compete on the international stage with the other news agencies," he said, "you will have to ask tough questions. If not, no one will take you seriously." The journalist cited other news agencies like AP, AFP and Reuters, saying that their reputations as credible sources of information have been earned over the years by asking the very questions China News avoids. "A journalist has to ask questions," one African reporter said, "or else how will things ever change?" Qone African reporter said, "or else how will things ever change?" "Freedom is not for everyone" -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Following the formal seminar, a discussion on freedom of expression took place. Bemba said the African journalists pressed their Chinese hosts on the need for honest reporting, particularly concerning political, economic and ecological scandals. Reporters from Gabon and Cameroon described ecological damage by Chinese companies in their countries, and how such news should not be suppressed merely because it might reflect badly upon the Chinese and their local partners. The African journalists said it was a matter of conscience to report on such serious threats to the well-being of their own communities. ¶7. (SBU) According to Bemba, the CNA representatives disagreed with the journalists' assessment. "Freedom is a Western value," one of the Chinese said, "it is not for everyone . . . There are one billion Chinese; we cannot all be free. That's why we need an ideology to tell us what is permitted, and what isn't." Several of KINSHASA 00001164 002.2 OF 002 the African journalists argued that freedom is not only a fundamental human right, but also a desire felt by all living things. One of them said, "If you take a lion and put him in a cage, even if you feed him the best cuts of meat every day, the first time you leave the cage open, he will escape. Even if it means he might starve to death." ¶8. (SBU) Comment: Even accounting for the tendency of interlocutors here to tell us what they think we want to hear, our conversation with Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba points to a problem the Chinese face when working with young African journalists, many of whom are the products of a European-based educational system and who strongly admire the principle of pess freedom, especially as practiced in the Unitd States. It is points to an opportunity for us to exercise greater influence vis-a-vis the local media. End comment. ¶9. (U) Note: PAS Nairobi is not aware of coverage of the CAN event in the Kenyan press. End note. Garvelink