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Delegates to the Amarc9 conference in Amman, Jordan supported the condemnation of the broadcast suspensions in the DRC. Over 150 delegates signed the petition.
(AMARC/IFEX) – AMARC condemns in the strongest terms the broadcast suspensions carried out against Kinshasa-based Radio Réveil FM, along with six other radio stations and three television channels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The decision was taken by the media regulatory agency (Haute Autorité des Médias, HAM) on 8 November 2006, with immediate effect, "until the delivery of [the media outlets’] programme schedules to the HAM."
The other radio stations and television channels affected by the decision include two other members of the Community Radio Association of Congo – Radio ECC and Radio Elikya ?as well as Radio Mirador, RTP, Canal Futur, Radio Parole de L‘Éternel and three television channels ? Mirador TV, Moliere TV and RTP.
AMARC considers this decision to be without basis under Congolese law and to represent a grave violation of international law on freedom of expression, taken for the sole purpose of muzzling the independent radio and television channels of the DRC.
AMARC demands the immediate removal by the HAM of the notice of suspension, without conditions, and calls on the Congolese authorities to assure respect for the freedom and independence of the media and for the right to freedom of expression.
For more information and to sign the petition contact AMARC, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX, United Kingdom, tel: +44 114 221 0592, fax: +44 114 279 8976, e-mail: amarc@amarc.org, Internet: http://www.amarc.org
