Congo - Kinshasa· medium· informal
radio trottoir
“pavement radio”
Meaning
Unofficial news that spreads by word of mouth
Explanation
It's the informal news network people rely on when the official press can't be trusted or reached, especially widespread across Central Africa.
Example
Personne n'a confirmé la nouvelle, mais radio trottoir en parle déjà partout en ville.
No one has confirmed the news, but the grapevine is already talking about it all over town.
Origin
It took root in Central Africa, especially Zaire (now the DR Congo), Congo and Gabon, where state control of the press left people trading real news on the street instead. 'Radio' pokes fun at how fast it travels, and 'trottoir' (pavement) is where it actually happens.
Where
Congo - Kinshasa
Congo - Brazzaville
Gabon