Internews in partnership with USAID launched a new media sector development project in the DRC called « USAID Project to Strengthen the Media Sector » on Thursday, September 19, 2019. It aims to promote freedom of the press and government transparency within the framework of the privileged partnership for peace and prosperity concluded by the United States and the DRC.

For the Internews Agency’s Country Director, Karim, this project has three specific objectives. These include capacity building for journalists; strengthening the independence and professionalism of partner media through training and monitoring of journalists; and strengthening public access to information content.

The provinces concerned by this project are the three Kasai, Lualaba, Haut and Bas Uélé, North and South Kivu. The duration will be from 2019 to 2024.

USAID is strongly committed to promoting democracy in the DRC through free media. This justifies, according to Paul Sabatine, USAID country director, the implementation of this new media project which, unfortunately, will not be able to cover all corners of targeted provinces.

Minister of State and Minister of Media, Jolino Makelele, recalled the importance of USAID’s contribution in the media sector. He says he is ready to wait for the various proposals that will allow him to put in place a good policy that will serve as a roadmap for his ministry.

Anna Mayimouna, Executive Director of the Union congolaise de femmes de médias (UCOFEM), who was the last speaker at the launch ceremony, drew attention to the low participation of women and young people in media content.

According to a survey conducted by its structure, it appears that access of women and young people to the Congolese media remains very limited. In 2019, out of 52% of women representing the Congolese population, only 22% of women have access to the media. Hence, she insisted, the need to work together to improve this access and make our media into media that would reflect social realities.

Nadine FULA