Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
Media are asked "not to confuse information with propaganda"

Monuc - August 30, 2006 1:31 AM

Monuc

At the weekly MONUC press conference on this Wednesday August 30, MONUC reiterated to the media ‘not to confuse information with propaganda’, as well as appealing to the Congolese people to remain calm.

MONUC deputy Spokesman Jean-Tobie Okala made reference to the rumour and speculation that appeared in some Kinshasa media, following the recent unrest of August 20 to 22 last.

“The sad events of August 20 to 22 last have made us all reflect on the future of this country. The media were certainly not responsible for these, but they have an important role to play in informing the public on all election related events.

“For the next round of the elections, and throughout the post electoral period, MONUC appeals to the media to respect the code of conduct. We also ask of them to separate information from propaganda, and to refrain from publishing hate messages that would incite the population to violence.”

Furthermore, MONUC appealed to the population to remain calm.

“We appeal to the population to disregard rumours which might be used to lure them into acts of violence, insults or tribalism. We remind everyone again that the time of gaining power through the use of arms is a thing of the past in the DRC,” Mr. Okala said.

On this subject, MONUC welcomed the spirit of cooperation and dialogue which was demonstrated by the two presidential candidates, Mr. Kabila and Mr. Bemba, following the eruption of violence between their respective security forces early last week.

This was following the agreement of delegates from both candidates to the creation of a Joint Commission, involving delegates from both presidential candidates, which has been subsequently subdivided into two sub-commissions of enquiry.

The first is an independent sub-commission of investigation into the recent unrest, while the second is tasked with defining the rules of conduct in the run up to the presidential second round, slated for October 29 next.

Meanwhile, 33 additional Kinshasa media stations have reached a commitment with HAM - the High Authority of the Media- in relation to the respect of the media code of good conduct, following the broadcasting of elections related political hate messages in recent weeks.

They follow another seven media stations who have reached agreement with HAM in this regard, which means that every Kinshasa media station is now fully committed to respecting the code of good conduct, in the run up to the second round of presidential elections.

At this occasion, Jean-Tobi Okala formally presented the new director of the Public Information department of MONUC, Mr. Mario Zamorano, and welcomed him to the team.


Related articles


  1. Thousands of Women March Against M23 Rebels in Kinshasa (November 24, 2012)
  2. Tshisekedi Says He Won, Can He Prove It? (December 17, 2011)
  3. Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in DR Congo (June 28, 2011)
  4. Rights Groups: Strengthen Civilian Protection Before Elections (June 9, 2011)
  5. UN Sanctions FDLR Leaders, CNDP Rebel Commander Integrated into Army (December 2, 2010)
  6. UN launches patrols to head off rebel violence during holiday season (December 1, 2010)
  7. Congo Defense Minister Rejects UN Allegations against Army (October 17, 2010)
  8. Rebel leader presumed responsible for mass rape arrested (October 5, 2010)
  9. UN DR Congo Report Exposes Grave Crimes (October 1, 2010)
  10. UN says peacekeepers 'failed' DR Congo rape victims (September 7, 2010)
  11. UN Defends Inaction on Mass Rapes in Eastern Congo, Government Missing in Action (August 26, 2010)
  12. Two Suspects Arrested in Attack on MONUSCO Base (August 20, 2010)
  13. Ban Ki-moon deplores deadly attack against blue helmets in North Kivu (August 18, 2010)
  14. Ban Ki-moon inaugurates new phase of UN mission in DR Congo (July 1, 2010)
  15. Congo Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Independence (June 30, 2010)
  16. Top UN envoy bids farewell to first batch of blue helmets leaving DR Congo (June 16, 2010)
  17. Veteran United States diplomat appointed to top UN post in DR Congo (June 9, 2010)
  18. Top UN officials urge inquiry into killing of Congolese human rights activist (June 3, 2010)
  19. UN to reduce DR Congo peace force (May 28, 2010)
  20. Security Council agrees to convert UN mission in DR Congo into stabilization force (May 28, 2010)
  21. U.S. Official Sees Improvement in Africa's Great Lakes Region (May 26, 2010)
  22. Back from DR Congo, Security Council set to review mandate of UN force (May 17, 2010)
  23. Security Council members depart for two-day visit to DR Congo (May 13, 2010)
  24. UN chief warns against early withdrawal from DR Congo (April 30, 2010)
  25. U.N. Security Council Cancels Congo Trip (April 16, 2010)
  26. DR Congo army regains control of Mbandaka (April 4, 2010)
  27. Enyele rebels enter major city in Equateur province (April 4, 2010)
  28. Behind Human Rights Watch Report on LRA, a Plea for MONUC to Remain in the Congo (March 29, 2010)
  29. New strategy needed against LRA in DR Congo, says UN chief (March 28, 2010)
  30. UN mission in DR Congo vows continued support for army (March 24, 2010)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.