DRC: Television station attacked, programme host in hiding

21 Mar 12 | Africa, Index Index, minipost

A private television station in the Democratic Republic of Congo was stormed by unidentified men yesterday morning. Radio Télévision Kindu Maniema (RTKM) who broadcast from the capital of Maniema province was attacked by a group of men, who set fire to the station’s satellite antenna, and damaged the station’s offices. Programme presenter Mira Dipenge went into hiding five days ago, fearing he would be arrested following orders from the governor of the province, Tutu Salumu. In early February, Salumu ordered station management stop broadcasting call-in programmes in which callers could criticise  his management of the province.

Chilean president sells his TV Station

18 May 10 | Index Index, minipost

President Sebastián Piñera, who took power in March, agreed on 15 May to sell his TV Station, Chilevisión, to a local investment group for $130m USD. One of Piñera’s campaign promises was that he would divest his business holdings, including Chilevisión. According to local media reports, the Clarín Group offered $10m more than the local fund, but Piñera rejected the offer to avoid political conflicts with the Argentinian government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, which has a tense relationship with the company.