 discuss press freedom and the safety of journalists with National Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth in Juba.){kind=link}
Members of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) discuss press freedom and the safety of journalists with National Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth in Juba.
The meeting was part of media engagement with authorities to create a suitable environment for the journalists to start sensitizing and educating the masses on electoral procedures.
Deputy Secretary of AMDISS Executive Board, Chuol Jany who also works for Catholic Radio Network [CRN] pled to the government to remove restrictions imposed by the security apparatus on the media and give a chance for media pluralism.
He says government and media should cooperate to bridge the information gaps in the country.
“In Juba, it is hard for journalists to interview people on the streets,” Chuol asserted. “If you are seen with a camera on the street, you are arrested. This is not good.”
“Just a few weeks ago, a journalist working for CGTN had his documents confiscated simply because he was capturing video footage on the street. This doesn’t seem right,” he lamented.
On her part, AMDISS Director Ayaa Irene appealed to the government to instruct the security agents deployed at the printing facilities to stop media censorship, particularly, the unilateral removal of news articles from the newspapers, saying seeing newspapers with blank spaces tarnishes the image of the country more.
“Hon. Minister [Makuei], seeing newspapers circulating with blank spaces is not good for the country.?
“It demonstrates the extent of media censorship in the country. The government should direct the security agents to desist from such practices,” she stressed.
According to Ayaa, the relationship between the security sector and the media is deteriorating causing mistrust and hence, results in intimidation, arrest, and detention of journalists.
She stated that the two sectors should understand their roles and work together for the public interest.
Minister Michael Makuei said the government will organize a workshop that will bring together journalists and the security sector to dialogue and find a way to mend their relationship.
The minister acknowledged the positive role of the media but cautioned journalists against publishing negative stories that incite violence and cause divisions in the community.
“Media should be professional. The media should not be used to incite violence. The work of the government is to see that the media is used responsibly and professionally. Still, if you target an individual’s personality, then you would be taken to court,” Makuei warned.
The meeting was part of AMDISS’ media campaign initiative to advocate for a conducive environment to promote a free press without censorship.
The Initiative is to remove fear of intimidation, arrest, and confiscation of media gadgets at a time the country prepares for its first-ever general elections in December this year.