The urban president of the National Union of the Press of Congo (UNPC) in Beni, Moustapha Mulonda, called on Sunday, November 19, for journalists who are candidates or alternates in the December 2023 elections to resign and to no longer act as "journalists".
He also asked media professionals who serve as communications officers for various personalities and companies to stop practicing the profession of journalism, which, according to him, demands neutrality.
"We understood that politicians were starting to encroach upon journalists. That is, journalists were showing interest in politics by presenting themselves as candidates for national or provincial deputies. Moreover, there are those who have been enlisted as communication officers or press attachés. We have organized sessions to make these journalists understand that the role of an informant is incompatible with that of a politician," indicated Moustapha Malonda.
He further encouraged those who wish to pursue a political career to do so, especially since the journalist is a citizen like any other citizen.
But this has one condition, to get rid of the microphone, the pen and to resign, given that the profession of a journalist demands neutrality.
MMC / RO