DRC: Protestors Slash Journalist Geonne Djokwa With Machete, Threaten Prisca Yasetonga
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled by the violent and vicious attacks on the journalists covering demonstrations
Location: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa
Date: May 20, 2023
Protestors injure reporter Geonne Djokwa with a machete and threaten Prisca Yasetonga while covering opposition demonstrations in Kinshasa. The Coalition For Women In Journalism vehemently condemns this vicious assault on the women journalists doing their job. Press workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are frequent victims of violence and intimidation. We call on the police to immediately identify and arrest those responsible.
On May 20, Congo Lisanga Television’s Geonne Djokwa was carried away on a stretcher, blood pouring down her face after she was assaulted covering demonstrations that erupted into violence.
Djokwa was reporting on a protest organized by opposition political parties when she was caught between two opposing groups.
According to fellow journalists who witnessed the assault, protestors tried to take her camera. When she refused, they attacked her with a machete wounding her head. Djokwa’s colleagues intervened and took the injured reporter away from the clashes to a medical center.
Demonstrators also took the journalist’s phone and camera during the altercation.
Djokwa, head of the privately owned YouTube news channel Congo Lisanga Television, was hospitalized. Her condition is improving.
Protestors also threatened journalist Prisca Yasetonga with a machete to prevent her from reporting on the demonstrations. The Mboka Nde Congo Television reporter escaped without injury.
According to reports, the demonstrations, organized by four opposition candidates for DRC presidential election, turned violent when police tried to disperse the crowd.
Those organizing the demonstrations claimed the protest aimed to be a “peaceful march” against the rising costs of goods in the country. Police say the protestors did not respect the itinerary for the march established with Congolese authorities, “forcing” them to intervene.
Unsafe environment for journalists
Journalists in the Democratic Republic of Congo face constant threats, intimidation, detention, and even fatal consequences for trying to report. In 2022, Journalistes En Danger recorded 124 cases of attacks against journalists, including 18 physical assaults.
Most media outlets in DRC are owned by politicians attempting to control media narratives to further their agenda. Journalists are routinely subjected to pressure from local authorities, politicians, religious groups, and militia.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the violent attack on Geonne Djokwa. If not for the intervention of her colleagues, who helped her escape the assault, the consequences could have been deadly. Those responsible for attacking the journalist must be held to account. We call on the police to investigate and arrest those involved.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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