An international body that works to safeguard global press freedom is urging the authorities of South Sudan to release two journalists detained last week without charges.
New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued yesterday a news alert calling on the authorities to release two journalists arrested one week ago and lift the ban on a newspaper.
Last Tuesday, South Sudan National Security Services detained Peter Ngor, the editor of The Destiny daily newspaper, and journalist Dengdit Ayok, after the latter wrote a column criticizing the marriage of President Salva Kiir’s daughter to an Ethiopian national.
National Security Services Director General Akol Koor accused the newspaper of violating the media code of conduct and professional ethics by printing illicit and defamatory news, and invading the privacy of personalities. He ordered The Destiny’s closure.
CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes said it’s alarming to see the world’s newest nation already arresting journalists under vaguely worded accusations.
Abraham Malek, senior editor with the Arabic-language daily Al-Masier, The Destiny’s sister publication, said the newspaper published an apology to the First Family for the comments in the article, and suspended Mr. Ayok for one month.
The Transitional Constitution 2011 says a suspect may not be held in custody for more than 24 hours unless he or she is brought before a judge in court.