The Legislative Assembly suspended the debate on the amendments the President of the Republic sent to the three key media acts due to an unconstitutional procedure.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit wrote to Speaker Manasseh Magok Rundial withholding his assent to the Right of Assess to Information Act 2013, Media Authority Act 2013 and Broadcasting Corporation Act 2013.
He also presented a number of amendments to the acts including the introduction of a Commission for Information instead of a commissioner and the definition of the concept ‘in good faith’ to stop criminal information leaks.
Acting Speaker Victor Omuho Ohidei started Wednesday’s sitting with the presentation of President Kiir’s amendments read by Information Minister Michael Makuei.
MP Bul Andrea Cosmas from Eastern Equatoria raised a point of procedure quoting the Transitional Constitution that says that not assented acts should be debated by the National Legislature and not by the Assembly alone.
Acting Speaker Omuho accepted the point of procedure.
He postponed the discussion of President Kiir’s amendments until legislators from both the Assembly and from the Council of States seat together in joint session.