CV NEWS FEED // As violence escalates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), journalists are increasingly affected by warring factions, facing threats, arrests, abductions, and unexplained disappearances.
Media professionals working in conflict zones say that both government forces and armed groups view them as adversaries, leading to a precarious environment for press freedom, Aljazeera Media Institute reported.
In regions plagued by militant activity and political instability, journalists face a landscape where neutrality is often met with suspicion. Reporters have recounted instances of being detained, interrogated, and even pressured into aligning with particular factions.
“Journalists in the DRC navigate an environment where front lines are blurred, alliances are shifting, and local authorities are often hostile or corrupt,” journalist Serge Bisimwa told Aljazeera Media Institute. “Access to information is hampered by military controls and constant pressure from armed groups and the government.”
At least six million people have been killed since 1996 in DRC, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in modern history. More than five million Congolese have been displaced and forced to flee their homes amid ongoing violence.
The violence in the country is exacerbated by the resurgence of M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group that re-emerged in 2021, accusing the government of breaking a past agreement. The group has seized territory in North Kivu, with the DRC blaming Rwanda for backing the rebels. Failed ceasefires have allowed the fighting to persist amid a landscape already overrun by more than 100 armed groups.
“It takes a lot of maneuvering to avoid being arrested or kidnapped by armed men,” Congolese journalist Eugene Amani said. “I am eager to leave this zone because anything can happen to me. I’m even considering temporarily quitting the profession because of the fragile security situation. There are no adequate protection measures.”
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Beyond physical dangers, journalists in DCR also contend with censorship and restricted access to critical information. Security checkpoints, government-imposed media blackouts, and pressure from local authorities make it increasingly difficult to report on conflicts with accuracy and independence.
Many journalists have been arrested and kidnapped, often under unclear circumstances. One such journalist who went missing without a trace left colleagues fearing the worst, according to Aljazeera Media Institute.
“He has never been heard of since, and no one knows if he is dead or alive,” Amani said.
Meanwhile, another journalist was detained for two weeks after being accused of collaborating with insurgents.
“This situation makes the work of journalists extremely complex and dangerous,” Bisimwa said, “thus requiring rigorous professional ethics and a delicate balance to remain objective, impartial, and alive.”
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