Congo's information minister says he has authorised the closure of a television station owned by a major opposition figure because its programming was a threat to public order.
Lambert Mende said Radiodiffusion Lisanga Television was inciting violence. The station is owned by opposition politician Roger Lumbala, a former rebel leader whose party will be attempting to topple incumbent President Joseph Kabila in this year's presidential election.
A spokesman for Lumbala's party says the station's closure is a violation of the constitution.
The central African nation, which is scheduled to hold national elections later this year, has some 50 television channels, hundreds of radio stations and nearly 200 newspapers.
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