o date, several journalists have been imprisoned and / or awaiting trial. Unconceivable in itself, this reality is all the more serious since it takes place in an alarming health context given the spread of the coronavirus. Several states have already released a number of prisoners in order to save their lives.

To the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Excellency the President

On behalf of the International Union of the French-Speaking Press, I would like to draw your attention to two extremely serious problems facing many of the media today.

To date, several journalists have been imprisoned and / or awaiting trial. Unconceivable in itself, this reality is all the more serious since it takes place in an alarming health context given the spread of the coronavirus. Several states have already released a number of prisoners in order to save their lives. Why should this practice not concern journalists in your country, whose only crime is to have freely and honestly exercised their profession?

Your clear position on the subject which would help to resolve this serious problem would be greatly appreciated worldwide.

In addition, the human and economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic lead, in fact, to many media – and particularly to the print media – reduction of pagination or even cessation of publication, and drastic reduction in advertising revenue.

Added to these difficulties, sales have been reduced considerably for the newspapers which continue to appear, when measures have been taken to restrict the movement of people.

This deep crisis risks seeing certain supports disappear altogether. The media are an essential element of economic and human development. They also demonstrated their irreplaceable nature as an information medium when you took the necessary precautionary measures in the face of this pandemic.

They are irreplaceable in a developing society. That is why, knowing your attachment to their development, I would like to ask your government for substantial additional help enabling them to face this ordeal.

I remain at your disposal for any meeting or contact you wish, and certain to be able to count on your support, please accept, Excellency the President, the expression of my highest consideration.

Madiambal Diagne

International President