Deputy Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State Zachariah Joseph Garang has written to media outlets in the county banning them from talking to government officials and relevant authorities, except for the governor and his deputy.
The order issued on 20th October only authorizes journalists to record the governor and deputy governor’s statements for broadcast and print purposes.
President of the Union of Journalist of South Sudan, Oyet Patrick, condemned the order, calling on the state authorities to withdraw the statement and allow journalists to freely access information.
He calls on Western Bahr el Ghazal authorities to immediately reverse the decision and allow journalists to access information from the constitutional post holders.
Article 24 of the transitional constitution of South Sudan guarantees freedom of expression, information and the media and allows restrictions on these rights only as prescribed by law.