Conclusion

In the DRC, media and journalists do not enjoy sufficient protection from public authorities and institutions. They work and live permanently in the fear of closure, prosecution, administrative hassle and even acts of violence that may come from political sympathisers. The fear in which they operate and live is a consequence of the refusal of acceptance of media criticism in general by political actors which include the organizers of institutions and managers in charge of portfolio services. This fear and intimidation is reinforced by the provisions of the Penal Code, which seems to protect people's honor and public credibility to the detriment of the public's right to information. Meanwhile, direct and indirect government support to the press, which has been planned since 1996 by law, has never been organised. In particular political contexts, such as the current electoral process, the media and their professionals are much more in demand, particularly from candidates and political majorities. This solicitation is just as intimidating, especially towards the media and the professionals who broadcast information from one political competitor in contradiction of another one. It is characterised by a high level of corruption, through the above mentioned practice of the coupage, meaning the purchase of the work and consciousness of journalists, who usually have no other means of subsistence.

The administrative and financial harassment that the media companies are constantly facing is not likely to favor their development. There are many basic services Agence nationale de renseignements (National Agency of Information - ANR), Direction générale des impôts (General Directory of Taxes - DGI), Direction générale des douanes et accises (General Directory of customs and tariffs - DGDA), Société congolaise des droits d’auteurs (Congolese Society of author’s rights - SOCODA), Fonds culturel congolais (Congolese Cultural Fund - FPC), whose over-taxation continuously weaken the possibilities of financial and economic development of the media, particularly under the commercial aspect which is already weakened by questionable practices. For example, apart from bracicoles (beer breweries) advertisers are very small in number. Communication companies go through advertising agencies that subtract media for ads. This further decreases the price-fixing freedom of advertising by the media.