Verbal, online or physical attack: Physical attack on journalists, media infrastructure/offices
On February 5, Mimi Etaka, a journalist working with the state-owned media house RTNC was attacked in her office by the bodyguard of Bobo Boloko Bolumbu, Governor of Equateur Province. The governor accused the journalist of refusing to broadcast a press release issued by him on RTNC/Mbandaka airwaves. Following a complaint lodged against the assaillants of the journalists, the suspects were arrested and presented before the Public Prosecutor’s Office and detained in Mbandaka Central Prison. According to OLPA, the suspected assailants were released a week after, without being charged with any offenses.