By Jerry Nguwa
May 1 2009

As the media fraternity is supposed to celebrate its freedom. In some parts of the world it is worthwhile to celebrate but in other parts journalists together with their audience should instead take the opportunity gather and analyse the state of the said freedom. Many countries in Africa and Asia fall in the latter part of the world. Being a Congolese citizen living in Kenya , put me in a better position to talk about freedom of the press.

I am from a country where freedom of the press exists only in books published outside the country. It would be a surprise if I told the world that 90% of media outlet in the DR Congo is owned by president Kabila and his close allies. The remaining 10% is owned by politicians close to former Vice president Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo. How can you talk of freedom of the press in such an arena? Media actors have been jailed persecuted and killed on different occasions. Even media actors exercising their duties unless the UN in Congo are not spared.

President Kabila is keeping Congolese people in the dark by having a stake in all media houses so that Congolese will have on option than to believe in what the government controlled media outlet are saying. Those who push their curiosity outside the boundaries often all on government backers media.

I personally, have lost two loved friends in the media both from the UN sponsered radio okapi. That the reason I am celebrating this day. I would instead like to pay my respect to the departed journalistic souls of Frank, Serge, Didas and many others we have not mentioned here.

The media fraternity in Kenya and all DR Congo neighboring countries should join hands to free their counterpart in Congo from oppressors' jaws.

At hapamedia, we would like to dedicate this day to Serge Maheshe and all our departed friends. We also dedicate this day to some of our colleagues who cannot exercise their profession freely.
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