Nearly eight years after promising to make media a "fourth power," Félix Tshisekedi faces scrutiny over his record. The 2026 report by Journaliste en danger (Jed) highlights a gap between his 2019 political commitments, the reforms undertaken, and the actual protection of media professionals. The report reveals a worrisome situation, with press freedom being a major issue for DR Congo's democracy.
In January 2019, Tshisekedi vowed to make Congolese media a "true fourth power" upon assuming office. However, this goal remains far from achieved. Journalists continue to work in an environment marked by threats, arrests, judicial pressure, and security breaches. Jed's 2026 report, titled "Media Under Pressure Amid Disinformation," assesses the situation beyond the Ebola crisis coverage.
The report places the challenges faced by journalists within a broader context of institutional fragility and media space restrictions. Statistics illustrate the problem's scope. Jed's November 1, 2023, report documented at least 523 various attacks against the press during Tshisekedi's first term. These included five journalist killings, 160 arrests, and 123 cases of attacked, closed, or banned media outlets.
Although some progress has been made since 2019, including the 2022 general press conference and the March 13, 2023, ordinance-law on press freedom modalities, protection remains insufficient. Jed welcomed the new legislation but noted limitations, such as the lack of explicit decriminalization of press offenses and new constraints on journalists.
In 2019, Jed and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) recommended that the government decriminalize press offenses, end arbitrary arrests and suspensions, establish an independent journalist protection mechanism, investigate unsolved assassinations, and transform the RTNC into a public service media outlet. The implementation of these recommendations is crucial in assessing the president's promise.
According to RSF's 2026 World Press Freedom Index, DR Congo ranks 130th out of 180 countries, up from 133rd in 2025. However, the country's overall score decreased from 42.31 to 42.16, and its security score dropped from 31.94 to 27.34. The security ranking also deteriorated, from 154th to 166th.
Recent incidents, such as the attack on Mwenga's community radio and the arrest of journalist Trésor Muntu in Likasi, demonstrate the persistent risks faced by journalists. These events highlight the vulnerability of media professionals and structures that ensure the public's right to information. Without free journalists, citizens' right to know is weakened.
Key points
- DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi's promise to make media a "fourth power" remains unfulfilled.
- Journalists in DR Congo face arrests, threats, and insecurity.
- The country's press freedom ranking improved slightly but security for journalists worsened.
