The Association for Media Development in South Sudan has raised concerns over the confiscation of media equipment by security at parliament on Friday.
It says the action amounts to a violation of the media freedom guaranteed and enshrined in the National Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011.
This came after security confiscated the equipment of the two reporters from Eye Radio and City Review News Paper. The Journalists were briefly detained but later released without charges.
“AMDISS learned with dismay the incident that took place at the parliament where media equipment was confiscated from two reporters, one from Eye radio and another from City Review.”
The Association calls for the Media Authority to intervene and ensure a safe return of equipment confiscated to the owners adding that any dispute should be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
The confiscation of media equipment came after journalists attended a press conference organized by SPLM IO parliamentarians over the impasses on salary increments.
The Opposition lawmakers walked out of the parliament session after SPLM IG supported a 400% increase while SPLM – IO want salary increments to be 600 percent.