Congo militias free FAZ reporter, others hide

Michael Hedges November 8, 2008

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) Africa correspondent Thomas Scheen was released by the pro-government Maï Maï militia, confirmed by FAZ publisher Berthold Kohler (November 8). Scheen, his interpreter and driver have been in the custody of the United Nations Peace keeping force MONUC since Friday morning (November 7).

The Maï Maï militia of the Coalition of Congolese Patriotic Resistance (Patriotes résistants congolais, PARECO) grabbed Scheen, who is Belgian, last Tuesday (November 4) in the village of Rutshuru 70 km from Goma. Scheen’s Congolese interpreter and driver were also held.

The Congolese army, militias and UN troops have been fighting rebel leader Laurent Nkunda’s National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) forces in a regional war that continues the mid-1990’s genocide of neighboring Rwanda.

Maï Maï PARECO militia leader Sendugu Museveni demanded “CNDP troops evacuate the town of Kiwanja before releasing the three people."

That appears not to be all militia wanted. Scheen’s interpreter Charles Ntiricya said the ordeal began when militiamen stopped their car on the road between Kiwanja and Goma. The three were tied up and taken to a militia commander who demanded $US800, which they didn’t have. Then they were marched, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 25 km to a “senior Maï Maï political figure.” They were handed over to the Congolese army, without their car or valuables.

Kiwanja community radio station Ushrika Racou was ransacked and looted Tuesday (November 4) by CNDP forces, reported the NGO Benevolencia, rendering it unable to broadcast. The staff fled. Reports that one journalist was shot and killed turned out, happily, untrue.

Other community radio stations shut down so staff to find safety and, perhaps, to prevent looting.  Dorkia FM, located near the famous mountain gorilla refuge Virunga National Park, reopened Friday (November 7). UN funded Radio Okapi is receiving protection from UN peacekeepers.

Most radio stations in the Nord Kivu region are sponsored either by community associations or religious organizations. Goma, the only city of size, has several commercial stations and is home to Radio Okapi. State broadcaster RTNC has stations in Goma and Butembo. 

UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) head Alan Doss (November 7) condemned as “deplorable” the murder of civilians in Kiwanja. "Witnesses have described incidents during which civilians lost their lives on Tuesday, as Mai-Mai militia fighters attempted to seize the town from the rebels," said the MONUC statement.

Media in Spain - Diverse and Challenged – new

Media in Spain is steeped in tradition. yet challenged by diversity. Publishers hold great influence, broadcasters competing. New media has been slow to rise and business models for all are under stress. Rich in language and culture, Spain's media is reaching into the future and finding more than expected. 123 pages, PDF. January 2018

Order here

The Campaign Is On - Elections and Media

Elections campaigns are big media events. Candidates and issues are presented, analyzed and criticized in broadcast and print. Media is now more of a participant in elections than ever. This ftm Knowledge file reports on news coverage, advertising, endorsements and their effect on democracy at work. 84 pages. PDF (September 2017)

Order here

Fake News, Hate Speech and Propaganda

The institutional threat of fake news, hate speech and propaganda is testing the mettle of those who toil in news media. Those three related evils are not new, by any means, but taken together have put the truth and those reporting it on the back foot. Words matter. This ftm Knowledge file explores that light. 48 pages, PDF (March 2017)

Order here

More ftm Knowledge files here

Become an ftm Individual or Corporate Member to order Knowledge Files at no charge. JOIN HERE!