The Democratic Republic of Congo's independent media regulator has accused the president and several vice-presidents of allowing TV and radio stations under their control to incite intolerance and hatred before the July 30 elections.
Modeste Mutinga, president of the High Authority of the Media, urged visiting UN Security Council representatives yesterday to use their influence and demand that they immediately stop inciting hatred that could have a negative influence on the election campaign.
The election will be the first since independence from Belgium in 1960.
A UN peacekeeping force of about 17 000 troops that helped end the 1998-2002 war is now preparing to secure Congo's vote. Its biggest challenge will be in the east of the country, where rebel forces remain active.
Mutinga said incitement in the nation's media was especially troubling "in the light of the experience of Rwanda and Ivory Coast, where hate media play a big role" during years of conflict.
Mutinga also complained that transitional President Joseph Kabila and three of the four vice-presidents, Jean-Pierre Bemba, Azarias Ruberwa and Zahidi Ngoma, had already begun campaigning before the official June 29 start date.
Kabila exercises strong control over government media and Bemba and Ruberwa own radio and television stations.
The election is being organised by a transitional government established in 2003.
