The war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has worsened threats to journalism, thereby imposing huge challenges on the public’s right to information.
Although it has not been safe to practice journalism in the second largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, the apex of these attacks has occurred during the ongoing clash between the DRC’s national army (and its foreign supporters), the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the rebel March23 (M23).
Early on January 27, 2025, the M23 rebels swept into Goma, capital of the eastern DRC’s North Kivu province, seizing control of the city of one million. By the time the guns (almost) went silent three days later, more than 700 people had been killed as thousands were displaced from their homes into refugee camps in neighbouring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda, according to Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya. And with reports that the rebels are pushing deeper into the neighbouring South Kivu province to hem in its capital Bukavu, there’s the risk of more killings and untold suffering on the local population.
In its report published on January 29, Reporters Without Borders summed up the gravity of the situation, thus: “The security situation in the city of Goma is deteriorating, and journalists can no longer report, the media has been forced into silence, there is no stable access to electricity or the Internet. RSF is urgently alerting the international community to this crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and calling on the parties involved in conflict to respect and protect the public’s right to information.” Communications with journalists in Goma, it added, were rare and sporadic due to unstable electricity and internet that had plagued the city since its capture by the M23.
Demonstrating how badly the public’s right to information had been infringed by the infractions, RSF reported that reporters, even those at the government broadcaster, had scampered for dear lives, leaving locals at the mercy of foreign-sourced news.
“Almost all local and international radio stations have stopped broadcasting in the area. The headquarters of the local branch of Radio Télévision Nationale du Congo (RTNC) has been empty since 27 January … The people of Goma now rely on the Rwandan radio stations broadcasting from the neighbouring town of Gisenyi for information.” That is tricky, because the United Nations and a host of international peace-minded agencies have accused Rwandan President Paul Kagame of supporting the M23 rebels. Information on the (in)security situation in eastern DRC emanating from Rwanda may not be verified.
The world had better listen to the appeal by Sadibou Marong, RSF’s Sub-Saharan Africa Bureau Director: “The deteriorating security situation is drastically challenging the right to information in Goma, which has become a refuge for displaced journalists from the province for several months. Radio stations have fallen silent, and journalists have been forced to leave their workplaces and are being attacked and persecuted. Any solution to this dire crisis must factor in the protection of and respect for the right to information. RSF calls on all parties involved in the conflict to ensure that the media can do their work freely — and to protect journalists.”
There’s the real danger that the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC will negatively impact journalism, this in keeping with the old dictum that the first casualty of war is the truth. And it’s worth noting the political environment in which the media in Congo work. There’s a strong presence of politicians who own media outlets intended to promote their influence and rise to power. The 2024 BBC Monitoring notes, among others, thus:
“The national radio and TV broadcaster is a state media outlet that lacks independence. It is very common for local authorities, militias, religious groups, and politicians to exert pressure on journalists and media outlets present in their province. The M23 has ordered some media outlets to modify their editorial policies.”
However, all these odds must not dampen the spirit of true journalism as the ultimate defender of the unheard.
That’s why it was spirit-buoying when Actualite published a story on February 5 to the effect that the National Union of the Congolese Press had expressed “its deep concern” over the deteriorating security situation in Goma and the entire eastern part of the country. Addressing the press in DRC’s capital Kinshasa, UNPC president Kamanda Wa Kamanda Muzembe said he had been alarmed by the threats the violence had on the safety of journalists and its violation of press freedom in the region. While guaranteeing his members of the union’s assistance and “unwavering” support, he rolled out a seven-point reminder of principles for the exercise of utmost responsibility and ethical journalism.
Specifically, UNPC asked journalists to:
1. Ensure the reliability of sources and verify facts to ensure their accuracy;
2. Remain impartial in the collection, processing and dissemination of information, paying careful attention to sensitive security issues or those likely to demobilise troops;
3. Respect the public’s right to information by ensuring its relevance;
4. Respect humanitarian law while avoiding causing additional damage to the morale of people in mourning or in difficulty;
5. Remain transparent in the collection and processing of information by using open source as much as possible, which must be cited;
6. Work and contribute, as much as possible, to promoting peace and stability during this delicate period and
7. Prioritise love of country, thus avoiding serving the cause of the enemy through propaganda and disinformation.
Lesson learnt? When human vagaries encounter untold challenges on journalism, media organisations, councils and unions must encourage and remind those who have chosen the noble profession that ‘My Tribe is Journalism’, and that only ethical practice will, ultimately, carry the day.
