Freedoms of speech and press are guaranteed under the constitution, but the government limits these rights in practice (FitW 2015). Libel is not a crime; however, there are some exceptions, meaning journalists can be at risk when reporting about corruption (FotP 2015). As a result, self-censorship is common, and journalists and media outlets critical of the government may face retaliation, intimidation and/or threats (FitW 2015; FotP 2015). In late-2014, journalist Elie Smith was attacked at his home allegedly because his reporting was believed to be sympathetic of the opposition; Smith and a journalist reporting on the events were later expelled from the country (FitW 2015). Public access to government information is guaranteed by law; however, implementation is poor and officials often delay the process of releasing information (FotP 2015). The government does not restrict internet access (FitW 2015). Overall, the media environment of the Republic of the Congo is considered “partly free” (FotP 2015).
Freedom of assembly is guaranteed by law but restricted in practice (FitW 2015). NGOs may operate independently as long as they do not fall out of favor with the ruling elite (FitW 2015). Civil society organizations have a very limited scope and only engage in low-profile political issues (BTI 2016). Internationally visible NGOs, such as Transparency International and the Observatoire Congolais des droits de l’Homme (OCDH), have been openly critical of the government, particularly in regards to the lack of transparency in the management of the country’s oil revenues (BTI 2016). Nonetheless, the government has sought to crush criticism by founding sham organizations to discredit their legitimacy (BTI 2016).
