19 December 2003
PRESS FREEDOM IMPROVING, SAYS JED REPORT
Press-freedom conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) improved in 2003, with fewer journalists detained and none imprisoned by year's end, concludes a new report released by Journaliste en danger (JED).
JED presented its annual report on 9 December at a press conference in Kinshasa, which was attended by more than 100 people, including government officials, diplomats, journalists, and a representative from President Joseph Kabila's office.
During 2003, JED recorded fewer cases of attacks on press freedom (66) than in the previous year (67). Only two journalists were detained for more than 48 hours, compared with 16 in 2002, and for the first time since 1997, no journalists were imprisoned because of their work. "This represents a significant milestone," says JED.
On the same day, JED launched a national campaign to decriminalise press offences in the DRC. Running from 10 December 2003 to 3 May 2004, the campaign will try "to encourage DRC lawmakers to abolish prison terms for press offences other than those involving incitement to ethnic or racial hatred, violence or crime," says JED.
A variety of publicity tools will be used, including radio and television advertisements, a cartoon contest for schools in Kinshasa, a theatre production and a concert. A workshop on decriminalising press offences will also be held in January. CAF/SCO is providing funding for the campaign.
More information on JED's annual report (in French only) and campaign is available here: http://www.jed-congo.org
To read reports on the DRC by other IFEX members, visit: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/archivereports/35/
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