Media outlets shut down

Numerous media outlets have been shut down in the DRC in the latest crackdown against journalists, a local media rights group confirmed. Journalist in Danger (JED) said 'around 30' media outlets were closed across the vast nation. 'They were accused of not paying taxes,' said JED's secretary-general Tshivis Tshivuadi. A report on the News24 site notes that the group said it had recorded 'at least six cases of flagrant attacks on the freedom of information' over the past two weeks. International press freedom watchdogs often criticise violence and intimidation towards journalists in the DRC, where rights groups say intelligence services have closed media outlets over criticism of the government. The DRC ranks 154th out of 180 in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index.