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RFI censored in Congo, press coverage of Honduras, our most-read stories
by Tony Cross
Article published on the 2009-07-31 Latest update 2009-08-05 13:38 TU
DRC President Joseph Kabila
(Photo: AFP)
In the third week of our feedback feature, a Congolese reader is furious that the DRC has stopped RFI's broadcasts in her country. Is international media reporting of Honduras fair? asks another correspondent. And, new this week, our most-read stories.
“I am Congolese and wanted to say: How low is that from the Congolese government to cut RFI signal while it says DRC is democratic?” writes Dali Mbala.
“I guess actions speak more than words. Put it in other way, this cutting is another proof of the clear dictatorship of Kabila regime. Anyway, how could it be different when a rebel - who has only known violence - arrives at the top of the state? And it is not an election that could have changed that! Fact!"
RFI’s broadcasts were suspended in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday 26 July, with four transmitters closed. Another transmitter in Bukavu has been closed since 10 June.
The DRC government objected to a report on RFI’s French service that a number of former rebels who had been integrated into the army had deserted. RFI has protested at the move, pointing out that the information was in the public domain, having been made public by the UN forces in the country, Monuc, at a press conference on 22 July.
Listeners should not despair, however. They can still listen to RFI on shortwave, 41m on 7265 kHz, and on 31m on 9790 kHz (full information on the English Service's SW frequencies is on our site). Of course, those of you with internet access can pick up our broadcasts on the website.
The Congolese press freedom campaign, Journalist in Danger, and French-based Reporters Without Borders have protested.
“This measure confirms that certain government officials have it in for RFI and makes us fear more authoritarian excesses,” said Journalist in Danger President Donat M’Baya Tshimanga.
“S Brainfood” of Switzerland sends a link to a blog exposing what he believes to be an international media “cover-up” of a demonstration in support of the Honduran government which has toppled President Manuel Zelaya.
It features pictures of what appears to have been a substantial turnout and quotes a demonstrator telling the Organisation of American States and the UN, who have condemned the power-grab, to “leave us alone”.
The interim government seems to share the blogger’s concerns about international broadcasters. Reporters Without Borders says that it has blocked transmission of CNN in Spanish, Venezuela’s Telesur and Cubavision Internacional.
Eleven journalists employed by Telesur and another Venezuelan station, VTV, were arrested on 11 July and deported, the organisation says.
The government enjoys the support of most local media, but not enough for its tastes, it appears.
“The programming of Radio Globo, one of the few media still criticising the new regime, is often interrupted,” Reporters Without Borders reports. “Soldiers tried to force their way into its studios on 25 July before giving up because of opposition from demonstrators.”
Broadcasts by at least eight local radio and TV stations has been interrupted after they broadcast pro-Zelaya reports.
Further news from RFI:
* After a long wait, you can podcast many of our magazines. Just click on the tab at the top of any page ("podcast"), or go here.
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