DR Congo’s communication minister Lambert Mende (photo), invites all online media operating in the country to get registered at the ministry before next July 15, an order signed last June 14 indicates.

“All online general information, specialized or opinion media existing on the date of entry into force of this Order have 30 days to comply with the Order’s provisions,” the document said. As for media that would have been created after the decree is published, the official explained that it has set a “Prior Declarations Register for online media exploration”.

This decree comes as a regulatory force for digital media activity within the country. It establishes principles which will henceforth serve as guideline for online press. Under this new decree, the minister prohibits “advocacy of crime, incitement to violence, depravity, xenophobia, tribal, ethnic, racial or religious hatred and any other form of discrimination”.

However, some citizens already expressed dissatisfaction claiming that the government wants to control media active in the country.

Servan Ahougnon