 in collaboration with Defy Hate Now South Sudan, has on Wednesday launched a new project dubbed “Tackling Mis/disinformation and Hate Speech in South Sudan”.){kind=link}
By Taban Gabriel
The Canadian base Journalist for Human Rights Organization (JHR) in collaboration with Defy Hate Now South Sudan, has on Wednesday launched a new project dubbed “Tackling Mis/disinformation and Hate Speech in South Sudan”.
The Project Manager of JHR, Mary Ajith Goch who is also a Director of [CRN] said the new initiative will help in addressing misinformation and hate speech by training journalists in fact-checking.
Ajith said, her organization will work closely with local media houses and civil societies in providing them with fact-checking tools and skills needed to counter hate speeches and misinformation.
The JHR manager further added that the project team will work closely with media authority to provide a conducive environment to media practitioners during the period of the election and beyond.
The Union of Journalists for South Sudan Chairperson, Oyet Patrick, urged journalists to prepare for the election as misinformation and fake news are concerns.
Mr. Oyet discourages media practitioners from concentrating on political talks about the elections not happening but should rather focus on their role in the upcoming democratic exercise.
The UJOSS boss strongly advised journalists avoid reporting false information in the yet-to-be-election
The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Information Dr. Yach Awan Yach, who doubled as guest of Honor at the event, applauded JHR for the initiative of combating hate speech and fake news in South Sudan.
Dr Yach cited some of the conflicts among South Sudanese communities that were triggered by misinformation and fake News.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Ambassador to South Sudan, Aly-Khan Rajani has pledged his country’s support to any initiative that will promote peace in South Sudan.
Since February 2016, JHR has been implementing the project “Strengthening Media in South Sudan” to enhance public accountability in the country on human rights issues but they later closed their office in the country.