Journalists were urged to be sober while reporting on referendum issues to avoid fuel strong feelings and violence.
The advice came from Atem Yak Atem, a senior journalist, during a three-day workshop on press freedom and religion in the coming up referendum that started today in Juba.Mr. Atem, who owns The Pioneer, told media practitioners that sobriety in reporting counters the lack of tolerance and avoids violence and social unrest.
He evoked the genocide of Rwanda that was triggered off by the media.
Mr. Atem urged journalists to be very careful to give the correct information and avoid fuelling violence especially when reporting on issues connected with race and religion that raise high passions.
The editor added that journalists have to report the truth and allow all parts in a story to speak up.
Mr. Atem urged journalists to promote democratic values through their work.
Mr. Atem made these statements during a brief presentation of the media history in the Sudan since the Turkish occupation.