Media in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa is the centre for television, print media and regulation. In the provinces and rural areas, radio often performs the central information function. The national media sector includes state, private, non-profit and informal services. Outside Kinshasa, the printed press reaches comparatively few people, while online press is growing. The Ministry of Communication and Media (Ministère de la Communication et des Médias) shapes media policy and works with the High Council for Audiovisual and Communication (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel et de la communication, CSAC) on matters such as digital television and GE06. The CSAC supervises the media, protects press freedom and journalistic professional duties, and is intended to ensure equal access to official media. The Regulatory Authority of Posts and Telecommunications of Congo (Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications du Congo, ARPTC) regulates postal services, telecommunications, the internet and mobile communications. The National Congolese Radio and Television (Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise, RTNC) broadcasts state radio and television with an information, education and cultural mandate. The Congolese Press Agency (Agence Congolaise de Presse, ACP) is the public news agency; the public transmission infrastructure provider (RENATELSAT) provides public transmission infrastructure. The 2023 Ordinance-Law 23/009 (Ordonnance-loi 23/009) protects the press, information, radio and television broadcasts, online press and other means of communication. Access to information of public interest is provided for, with exceptions including classified data and information concerning state security and defence. Bad-faith false information that disrupts public order may be sanctioned. Whether the reform clearly abolished imprisonment for all press offences has not been conclusively established. Radio is particularly widespread outside the major cities. A 2022 UNICEF inventory recorded more than 690 radio stations, including approximately 600 community radio stations. Local stations are operated, among others, by non-governmental organisations, religious institutions and private operators. Some services do not have adequate technical equipment or broadcast without regular authorisation. Television and digital terrestrial television are more formalised: in Kinshasa, a total of 262 channels were recorded in 2023, of which 107 were authorised for digital terrestrial television and 83 had been activated by the public distributor. An independent national streaming service is not documented in the sources reviewed. Streaming is mainly provided through mobile data and international platforms. Network coverage, data allowances, devices, electricity supply and the cost of packages determine access. Radio is often cheaper than streaming, but it also requires reception, electricity or batteries. Social media are used to distribute news and videos and to participate in public debates. They also facilitate disinformation, surveillance, blocking and the spread of war propaganda or glorification of armed groups. Warnings from the CSAC and the ministry about false information do not replace checking the source, identity, date and original context. Legal media rights also do not automatically guarantee access to every platform. Journalists work in a pluralistic landscape subject to strong political, military and religious influence. Pay-for-publication practices (coupage), precarious contracts and self-censorship weaken editorial independence. In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, armed conflict, restricted access and personal danger worsen the situation. According to UNESCO, one journalist was killed in the line of duty in 2024; Reporters Without Borders documented the looting or closure of more than 25 community radio stations in North Kivu between January 2024 and January 2025, more than 50 attacks on newsrooms or journalists, and the temporary detention of at least eight journalists after the M23 armed group (M23) took Goma. Radio is also used for education and child protection. UNICEF, the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST), RTNC and Radio Okapi used FM radio for distance learning; in 2025, radio-based learning circles were established in Minova for children affected by conflict. At Children Reporters (Enfants Reporters), children produce local reports on the environment and rights for blogs, radio and television. A uniform nationwide online child-protection procedure is not documented. For many children, costs and network quality limit internet access. The Constitution protects freedom of expression in Article 23 and freedom of information, the press, radio, television, print media and other forms of communication in Article 24. These rights are subject to legal limits concerning public order, public morals and the rights of others. State audiovisual and print media are considered public services and are intended to provide political and social groups with equal access, objectivity, impartiality and diversity of opinion. In practice, access and protection vary considerably by region. The ARPTC reported 69,400,444 mobile subscriptions and 34,558,596 mobile internet subscriptions in the second quarter of 2025. This corresponds to approximately 49.8 percent of mobile subscriptions, although subscriptions cannot be equated with individual people. Prepaid contracts predominate. Data prices depend on the provider, package and location; a single current national tariff is not documented. Formal services include regulated broadcasters, accreditations, digital terrestrial television, the CSAC, the ministry, the ARPTC, the RTNC, the ACP and RENATELSAT. Non-formal services include UNICEF and NGO programmes, community radio, listening clubs and child reporters. Informal services include private sharing through social media as well as non-compliant or clandestine broadcasters. Formal procedures generally offer greater legal certainty and protection than non-formal or informal channels. Journalists apply for access to state information and workplaces through an accreditation portal. The procedure lists proof of identity or a passport, a press card, media details and an accreditation letter as required documents. The portal does not specify a fee or processing time.