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By Jacqueline Segahungu, ACRP Regional Study Network Lead, 2023.
Abstract
This paper encapsulates the findings of a 2023 study on Central Africa’s regional media landscape examining the challenges and developments that have taken place in the practice and or study of journalism in the region. It engages discussions in relation to global and local trends, technological advancements, government and political influences, the reception within society and the community impact, and analyses and suggests support that is required for journalists and media scholars in the region.
Introduction
Journalists in Central African countries often face security threats and censorship, particularly in conflict-affected areas. The absence of strong unions and professional bodies challenges self-regulation, professional rights promotion and protection, in an environment where the regulatory bodies lack of independence. The year 2023 was marked by the transition towards digital platforms and the efforts for journalists and media to adapt to economic constraints through innovative revenue models.
Methodology
The study proceeded by the examination of countries of the Central African region namely Democratic Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Republic Of Congo, Republic of Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Republic of Gabon, Republic of Guinea, Cameroon, Central Africa in the areas of legal and regulatory framework, the level of media and journalists safety, protection, the pluralism and independence status.
The data which informs this study was sourced from the internet and includes media international organizations, the media news data and survey questions results from participants in the above mentioned region. We deplore the quasi absence of Africa-generated studies and the fact that the addresses links provided on internet were not as functional as needed to allow us to reach as many broadcasters and newspapers as possible. Further limitations to the study relate to COVID-19 and its impact on researches, particularly on actual internet penetration for example, where the user figures may be higher than those published for the 2023 period.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Two months before the country’s 2023 presidential election Reporters without Borders declared that Congolese journalists were often victims of attacks, intimidation and arbitrarily arrested. The local media watchdog Journalistes en Danger (JED) recorded 124 cases of press freedom violations in 2022, including the closures of 17 broadcast outlets, death threats against 49 journalists and the killing of one journalist. The High Council for Broadcasting and Communication (CSAC), the country’s media regulator body, has the power to temporarily suspend outlets for hate speech and ethical transgressions. The country’s press is diversified, radio being the dominant news medium. Politicians own or launch media outlets to promote their influence and rise to power according to Reporters without Borders. The state's Radio Television Nationale du Congo (RNTC) and UN-operated Radio Okapi are the only broadcast outlets with national coverage according to the BBC news. The DRC’s internet penetration rate stood at 17.6 percent of the total population at the start of 2022 according to Datareportal. News websites develop fast. There is a high risk of prosecution, harassment and attack against journalists when challenging powerful figures and reporting on controversial topics. Corruption and mining contracts subjects are likely to prompt self-censorship. In conflict zones, the media are caught between rebel violence and the army’s response.
São Tomé and Principe
The State–run broadcasters are the country's most significant news sources. Online media sector is poorly developed as 30 percent of the population has internet access. São Tomé's press was rated as 'free' according to Freedom House.
However, journalists from state-run media entities need to practice self-censorship. In 2022 private news outlets also practice self-censoring mainly due to the lack of training and understanding of freedom of press principals. The BBC Media action reports that media carry opposition views and give access to opposition leaders. Obtaining access to official sources, mainly legal documents, continued to be a challenge as reported by the United States Department of States São Tomé and Príncipe's internet penetration rate stood at 51.2 percent of the total population at the start of 2023. Kepios analysis indicates that internet users in São Tomé and Príncipe increased by 2,278 between 2022 and 2023.
Republic of Congo
The media landscape is as dense as diversified and most of Congolese people get their news from television and radio. Many media outlets have close ties to government allies which influence heads of state media appointment. The government dismissal and revokes journalists’ accreditation according to Reporters Without Borders. Access to public information remains difficult and social topics are neglected by the media. The Media-sustainability-index for 2022 shows that working under a cloud of fear forces Congolese journalists to self-censorship to protect themselves as meager salaries disposes them to corruption. Private media lack technical equipment, technological assistance and financial stability. Republic of Congo internet Penetration Rate is 62.0 percent.
Republic of Chad
The 2019 cybercrime law exposes journalists to arbitrary arrest and detention according to Reporters Without Borders. Social media like Facebook has an influential part though it is dominated by a small elite. Internet penetration is about 13 percent. Radio is the main medium. The political instability poses risks for journalists and especially, covering critical issues to senior government officials or close associates is not tolerated. Journalists practice censorship. Press companies are poorly managed and have limited income sources, especially for private-owned media. Journalists are poorly paid and the media lacks sensitivity to conflict.
Equatorial Guinea
Press offences are not decriminalized and few independent media operate from the country. The government radio and television are the main source of news while TV channels transmitted by satellite or cable have the most viewers. Remarkably, online media outlets have developed in recent years, providing news that partly escapes government control. Lawsuits for slander or defamation are common in the country according to Reporters Without Borders. Human Rights Watch organization reports that media repression has extended in 2019 and acts of violence against journalists went completely unpunished. The State’s subsidies remains meager and are disproportionally provided to all media outlets and journalists’ low wages make them susceptible to corruption.
Burundi
The regulatory body, (Conseil National de la Communication) is subservient to the government. The independent broadcasting sector was severely undermined in May 2015 following the coup attempt against late President Pierre Nkurunziza . Working from abroad where journalists established alternative media and the excessive control on media operating from the country challenges professional identities. The radio remains the main actor and news source for many Burundians but social media have served as news sources at the moment of radio stations shutdown. Social media are also used for spreading disinformation. There were 1.33 million internet users in Burundi at the start of 2023, while internet penetration stood at 10.2 percent. Journalists live in a constant fear of being threatened, attacked or arrested and practice self-censorship according to Reporters Without Borders. Independent media outlets survive difficulty without external support.
Republic of Gabon
Seven out of nine members of the High Authority for Communication (HAC), the country’s media regulator body are chosen by the state authorities. and online media allies to the Gabonese president have been created. The media landscape is densely diversified, broadcasting dominated by the state-media as State TV channels remain influential but still in competition from privately owned channels. The Internet was cut during 2023 elections and foreign reporters couldn’t get their accreditation. Gabon has the highest rate of internet access, with an estimated access rate of 64.9% of the. Many media outlets went bankrupt following the raw material crisis in 2014 and the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Journalists still face serious financial difficulties even after the State aid equitable distribution.
Republic of Cameroon
Members of the National Communication Council, the national regulator body are appointed by presidential decree. In Cameroon, there is presently a debate over the role and powers of the National Communication Council, also known as the NCC and that is to understand their continuous criticisms of sanctions issued by the council. The state has used special courts to prosecute journalists. Journalists who are critical or outspoken, are constantly at risk of verbal or physical attack. Independent and critical reporting fuels self-censorship is challenging, and the situation fuels self-censorship. Threats against reporters, including illegal detentions, prison time, and killings were reported. The Media precarious economy, especially in the private sector undermines practitioners’ independence. Cameroon’s dense and diversified media landscape has increased since 1990 and the public radio and television are state-run media. There are more and more media based on ethnic or religious criteria and this situation contributes to a polarization of public debate. The Internet penetration is 36.5 percent.. The State’s aid is insufficient and unfairly distributed. Cameroonian journalists, particularly journalists from privately owned media, work in extremely precarious conditions, which undermines their independence.
Central Africa Republic
Journalists have accused the High Council for Communication of imposing arbitrary sanctions. The 2022 new press law criminalizes press offenses and allows the government to control the media regulator according to Reporters Without Borders. Officials are intolerant of criticism while media access is not equal for politicians. Radio remains the dominant source of information. Internews reports that print press and information web sites are politicized and lack sensitivity to the conflict. Internet penetration is 10.6 percent according to Datareportal, the only TV channel is the state-owned Tele Centrafrique (TVCA) remains influential and under government control. Independent media are often subjected to intimidation attempts and cyber harassment as reported by Reporters Without Borders. Journalists are poorly paid. Newspapers are not sustainable. Reporters and managers are subject to bribery.
Survey Questionnaire Results
As part of a survey completed to inform this study, first hand experiences were received from media professionals among them, media directors in mainstreams as well as community radio stations, contents creation projects coordinators, senior journalists and below are the responses received:
Information technologies
Funding mechanism that allows journalists to cover events independently
Are the financing mechanisms for the operations of media houses independent?
Can the media operate independently of political, governmental, commercial or religious organizations?
Yes represents 9, 1 percent, No represents 18, 2 percent. In some occasions represents72, 7 percent
Media pluralism
Capacity of media to mitigate attacks
Digital security
Do journalists and media have the required knowledge and skills in security planning?
Research Recommendations
Conclusion
Conflicts are among key factors that restrict the press freedom through the attacks directed to newsrooms and journalists caught in the crossfire between political actors and that situation has made the practice of journalism very precarious. Also, there is an increasing global weakening of legal protection through online and physical attacks and judicial harassment against journalists and media outlets, which contributes to the reduction of editorial independence from political and/or economic capture and uphold professional journalistic standards, self-regulation. All those realities reduce the space and the ability for media to hold governments and other powerful institutions to account.
Digital technologies have significantly transformed the media landscape and has created opportunities and threats for media freedom and independence and pluralism of opinions. So, it would be crucial to adopt comprehensive measures for journalists and media workers’ safety and protection against violence and all forms of attacks, threats, and illegitimate surveillance. At the same time, financial sustainability and capacity development has become important for building a resilient and independent media sector from political and/or commercial influence.
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