Journalists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face escalating dangers as conflict intensifies in the east, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) naming the country one of the most hazardous for media workers in Africa’s Great Lakes region. Trapped between M23 rebels and government forces, reporters endure pressure, reprisals, and forced compliance. RSF reports approximately 500 journalists have been arrested in the past decade, many enduring prolonged detentions in harsh conditions. Censorship is rampant, with authorities and armed groups restricting coverage.

Since 2023, nearly 90 journalists have fled the violence, highlighting a rapidly deteriorating environment for independent reporting.

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