Africa

Republic of Congo

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 1.63	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

The presidential elections, which led to another seven-year term for Denis Sassou-Nguesso, dominated the headlines in 2009. The opposition boycotted the elections, which excluded the main opposition candidate. In the lead-up to the July elections, the authorities stepped up pressure against journalists as well. Several international journalists reported physical attacks and intimidation. An online journalist lost his life in a house fire, and his relatives raised the possibility that it was retribution for his work criticizing the authorities—though an official investigation ruled the cause of the fire accidental.

Self-censorship has become such a scourage in the Congo that it is devastating the profession. The Congolese depend primarily on radio for information; access to other forms of media outside the capital is poor. Even Pointe-Noire, the second largest city and the country's economic capital, does not have a locally produced newspaper—and few can afford newspapers, in any case. Poverty affects journalists, too; salaries are low and working conditions are quite poor. A collective contract, which the media community hopes could improve compensation and job security for journalists, was adopted in 2009, but had not yet been implemented at the time that the MSI panel convened.

Journalists lack appropriate equipment to conduct their work; some journalists at Radio Point-Noire have not even been exposed to computers. Internet access remains a luxury. In addition to the prohibitive cost, poor connectivity hampers access to the web—even in Brazzaville, the capital and largest city. For now, the Internet is not used as an information source—though online news sources and blogs are emerging, some based in France, that could help spread usage.

Africa

Republic of Congo

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Freedom House Score: 54 (Partly Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}