Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA557
2009-06-16 07:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
FRENCH RADIO FREQUENCY STILL SILENCED IN PROVINCE
how-toVZCZCXRO9525 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0557 1670702 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 160702Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9717 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1265 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000557
SENSITIVE SIPDIS
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO PREL PHUM CG
SUBJECT: FRENCH RADIO FREQUENCY STILL SILENCED IN PROVINCE
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: Kinshasa 00448
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000557
SENSITIVE SIPDIS
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO PREL PHUM CG
SUBJECT: FRENCH RADIO FREQUENCY STILL SILENCED IN PROVINCE
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: Kinshasa 00448
1. (SBU) Summary: The DRC Government is still preventing the
population of Bunia, Orientale province, from listening to Radio
France Internationale's programs. RFI Bunia's frequency was
'silenced' on May 5 (reftel) in retaliation for the French radio
station's alleged continued attempts to destabilize the country. As
the Congo painfully emerges from years of conflict that have greatly
undermined the authority of the central government, the DRC
authorities are determined to show media they find disturbing that
they will make no compromise in matters of national security. End
summary.
2. (U) RFI's frequency was not actually shut down, as the antenna of
the radio station is situated within the compound of a MONUC local
base. Local radio station Canal Revelation used to pick up RFI's
signal and broadcast RFI news across the region. According to human
rights organization Journaliste En Danger, the provincial
representative of the media affairs and communication ministry
verbally ordered Radio Revelation to stop relaying the French radio
station's signal. An anonymous local public servant could not act in
this manner without orders from his hierarchical supervisor and,
more importantly, the backing and direct involvement of the national
intelligence agency (ANR).
3. (U) In response to the DRC Government's accusations of subversive
activity, on May 11 RFI denied purveying misinformation and slanted
reporting on the DRC. However, RFI's declaration of good faith was
quickly called into question a few days later as it aired a detailed
report disclosing ongoing disquiet and brewing rivalries within ANR
and blaming the homeland security director for this confusion. This
new 'incident' reinforced the Government's determination to bring
RFI to heel.
4. (SBU) Comment: RFI continues to broadcast in other major DRC
towns, and containing the French radio's station signal in Bunia had
no real impact on its wide appeal and influence. The GDRC might
decide on a more coherent and productive course of action to prove
RFI wrong. Controlling information is clearly of vital importance to
the Government as it struggles to assert its authority in a fragile
security environment. But continued intransigence on the part of the
DRC leadership will leave international media unharmed, and
negatively affect local independent media in the long run. End
comment.
BROCK
SENSITIVE SIPDIS
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO PREL PHUM CG
SUBJECT: FRENCH RADIO FREQUENCY STILL SILENCED IN PROVINCE
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
REF: Kinshasa 00448
1. (SBU) Summary: The DRC Government is still preventing the
population of Bunia, Orientale province, from listening to Radio
France Internationale's programs. RFI Bunia's frequency was
'silenced' on May 5 (reftel) in retaliation for the French radio
station's alleged continued attempts to destabilize the country. As
the Congo painfully emerges from years of conflict that have greatly
undermined the authority of the central government, the DRC
authorities are determined to show media they find disturbing that
they will make no compromise in matters of national security. End
summary.
2. (U) RFI's frequency was not actually shut down, as the antenna of
the radio station is situated within the compound of a MONUC local
base. Local radio station Canal Revelation used to pick up RFI's
signal and broadcast RFI news across the region. According to human
rights organization Journaliste En Danger, the provincial
representative of the media affairs and communication ministry
verbally ordered Radio Revelation to stop relaying the French radio
station's signal. An anonymous local public servant could not act in
this manner without orders from his hierarchical supervisor and,
more importantly, the backing and direct involvement of the national
intelligence agency (ANR).
3. (U) In response to the DRC Government's accusations of subversive
activity, on May 11 RFI denied purveying misinformation and slanted
reporting on the DRC. However, RFI's declaration of good faith was
quickly called into question a few days later as it aired a detailed
report disclosing ongoing disquiet and brewing rivalries within ANR
and blaming the homeland security director for this confusion. This
new 'incident' reinforced the Government's determination to bring
RFI to heel.
4. (SBU) Comment: RFI continues to broadcast in other major DRC
towns, and containing the French radio's station signal in Bunia had
no real impact on its wide appeal and influence. The GDRC might
decide on a more coherent and productive course of action to prove
RFI wrong. Controlling information is clearly of vital importance to
the Government as it struggles to assert its authority in a fragile
security environment. But continued intransigence on the part of the
DRC leadership will leave international media unharmed, and
negatively affect local independent media in the long run. End
comment.
BROCK