September 19, 2019
Subject: New $15 million USAID activity to advance press freedom and government transparency as part of U.S.-DRC Privileged Partnership for Peace and Prosperity
Kinshasa, DRC, September 19, 2019 – USAID, a U.S. Government agency, has launched a five-year $15 million Media Sector Development Activity to promote a more open and vibrant media sector that contributes to more responsive and transparent institutions in the DRC.
Under the framework of the U.S.-DRC Privileged Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, the activity will strengthen the legal and regulatory environment for media; support targeted media outlets and journalists to become more independent and professional; and increase access to high-quality public-interest reporting.
According to the U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Michael Hammer, “for democracy to grow, journalists must be able to do their jobs freely. The United States is committed to promoting a more professional and independent media sector capable of serving as a key pillar of democracy in the DRC and this new activity is proof of our commitment.”
USAID/DRC Mission Director Paul Sabatine adds, “We have worked to support the media sector in the DRC for more than seven years and we look forward to continuing our engagement. A strong media sector not only informs citizens of their rights – it also empowers them to better hold elected leaders accountable.”
This new activity will build on the success of USAID’s previous Media Sector Development Program which ran from 2010-2017 and provided much needed support to 76 community radio stations and more than 1,500 media professionals.
