Bunia Media Observe Three Days of Radio Silence After Murder of RTNC Journalist

Bunia, January 11, 2026 - Bunia, Ituri Province | December 30, 2025

More than twenty radio stations and online media outlets operating in Bunia, in the eastern province of Ituri, began a three-day suspension of broadcasting and news programs on Tuesday to protest what they describe as repeated attacks against journalists and growing threats to press freedom.

The action follows the brutal killing of RTNC journalist Thierry Lole, who was murdered at his home on Sunday night by unidentified armed men, according to local media organizations.

Residents of Bunia woke up on Tuesday to an unusual silence on the airwaves. Several radio stations halted their regular programming entirely, while others suspended news bulletins, airing only music in tribute to their slain colleague.

According to journalists’ rights organizations, the killing highlights ongoing efforts by unknown actors to intimidate and silence the press in a region affected by chronic insecurity since 2017. The coordinated media blackout is intended to pressure authorities to take responsibility for ensuring the effective protection of civilians, including media professionals, in Ituri.

“These three days of radio silence are a strong message to the authorities,” said Constant Same Bagalwa, editor-in-chief of Radio Les Rebâtisseurs and director of the online outlet Bunia News. “They reflect the media’s refusal to continue working under constant threat.”

Ituri Province is home to approximately forty radio stations, several of which operate outside Bunia. A number of these outlets have also announced their intention to join the protest, extending the media blackout across parts of the province.