 MEDIA |
Media freedom is restricted. Furthermore, journalists face harassment by the authorities, prompting many to exercise self-censorship.
Nonetheless, the press continues to criticise government bodies, and some publications serve as mouthpieces for opposition parties, despite the fact that these were suspended shortly after Laurent Kabila became president in 1997. About 15 newspapers appear regularly in the capital, Kinshasa, and even more are published sporadically.
In addition, there are eight television channels and about 10 radio stations, five of which broadcast news. Church radio networks are growing, but the state controlled broadcasting network reaches the largest numbers of citizens.
THE PRESS
- Le Potentiel
- Le Palmares
- La Référence
- Le Soft
- Elima - evening daily
- L'Analyste - daily
 LE POTENTIEL
Newspaper conected with the left (oposition), it played a major role during the transition towards democracy (1990-1997), denouncing the abuses of the Mobutu's regime. (www.lepotentiel.com)
LE PALMARES
Daily newspaper, it is renown for its connection to the government. It provides general information. (www.lepalmares@ic.cd)
LA REFERENCE
Tri-hebdomadal newspaper providing general information. Its tendance is not clearly defined but it claims to belong to the opposition.
| LE SOFT
One of the main newspapers of DRC at the time of Mobutu's regime, Le Soft has lost part of its glamour due to the fact that its owner, ex- minister of Information, now belongs to the rebellion movement. Nevertheless, the Soft still publishes a national and international edition. It has no internet site at this time.
ELIMA
Elima, along with Salongo, were the only two newspapers allowed during the regime of Mobutu. Nowadays it lost its steam and joined the opposition. It is experiencing serious difficulties to keep on publishing.
L'ANALYSTE
Information newspaper with unregular publishing, it exalts for the in depth of its analysis.
TELEVISION
- Radio-Television Nationale Congolaise (RTNC) - state controlled terrestrial and satellite TV
- Television Congolaise - government commercial station run by RTNC
- Antenne A - private commercial channel
- Canal Z - commercial channel
- Canal Kin 1 - private channel
- Canal Kin 2 - private channel
- Radio-Television Kin Malebo (RTKM)- private channel
RADIO
- La Voix du Congo - state controlled, operated by RTNC, broadcasting in French, Swahili, Lingala, Tshiluba and Kikongo, is the main radio but there is a multitude of other channels that you can tune in.
News agencies
- Agence Congolaise de Presse (ACP) - state controlled
- Documentation et Informations Africaines (DIA) - Roman Catholic news agency |
