The Legal Adviser for SNPP, Reagan Kaputa in his presentation on the Laws that guarantee media freedom in the DRC, noted that the Constitution of the DRC guarantees the freedom of expression and freedom of the press. He emphasised that it is of crucial importance for journalists’ unions and associations as well as media organisations to work with legislators in order to pass and strengthen laws that protect and guarantee media freedom. ‘ We must all work together to promote the ratification and implementation of international conventions that guarantee freedom of expression and media freedom as well as workers’ rights.
Concerning the challenges in the laws that guarantee media freedom in the DRC, Advocate Kaputa noted ‘ Le Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication (CSAC ) has extensive powers to withdraw licences and censor media outlets. This means that independent media outlets can be easily sanctioned by CSAC, whose officials are appointed by the president of the Republic. If the mass media is indeed the Fourth estate of the Realm why is it that regulatory officials are appointed by the President himself?
The Secretary General of SNPP, Denise Saye in her welcome address to the participants said that the role of the media is crucial in guaranteeing free and independent information. However, journalists in the DRC face numerous challenges with regards to the laws that govern the media and most especially freedom of expression. Journalists can easily be arrested and imprisoned for defamation which is still criminalised in the country. Access to information laws are not implemented to the letter which makes the work of journalists very difficult.
The Financial and Administrative Officer at the IFJ Africa Office, Madam Sokhna Dia, in her message of solidarity, said that laws governing the media in Africa, most especially in Central Africa including the DRC must be in line with internationally recognised standards. ‘Most countries in the Central African region still have defamation laws, sedition, false information as well as insult laws in their statute books which are mostly designed to suppress dissent and silence journalists. All media laws that suppress freedom of expression and media freedom must be repealed’.
The two- day workshop dilated on various themes associated with the role of the media in enhancing democracy; laws governing the media in the DRC; laws governing the use of the internet in the DRC; Media Legislations and challenges of media freedom to meet internationally recognised standards; Legal frameworks governing workers’ rights; building alliance and networks with civil society organisations to enhance media law reform and; strengthening journalists unions to defend media freedom.