 concluded a two-day workshop on strengthening trust between media and security institutions in the Republic of South Sudan.){kind=link}
By; Ginaba Lino
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) concluded a two-day workshop on strengthening trust between media and security institutions in the Republic of South Sudan.
The UN head of the security sector, Reform Officer Mamadou Toure, says the workshop aims to foster understanding by addressing the challenges, promoting dialogue, and identifying practical solutions that allow both the Media and security organs to work effectively.
“Today’s workshop provides an opportunity to foster misunderstanding by addressing the challenges, promoting dialogue, and identifying practical solutions that allow both the media and security institutions to do their work effectively and responsibly.”
Mamadou adds that for South Sudan to move forward, both institutions must work together in good faith, citing that UNMISS remains committed to supporting efforts that strengthen media relationships.
He urges the security institutions and the media to remember that they are not enemies, but partners in addressing peace, justice, and democracy in South Sudan.
“As we embark on this workshop, let us remember that a strong nation is built on trust, accountability, and collaboration. Security institutions and media are not enemies, rather they are partners in addressing peace, justice, and democracy in South Sudan.”
The head of the security sector Reform officer assures the media and security institutions of their commitment to support such an initiative for an effective relationship between the two institutions.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the South Sudan Media Authority, Sapana Abui, welcomed the UNMISS initiative to build a relationship between the media and security institutions in his closing remarks.
Sapana urges security to always follow the law if any journalist makes a mistake and tells the individual what he or she has done.
“If somebody is like any other ordinary person, because journalists are human beings, in case of any offense that they are arrested for they have to be produced in court so that justice should be done.”
He thanked the spokespersons of the security institutions for sharing their time and building relationships with the media, citing that it was an opportunity for both parties to learn their roles.
The two-day workshop was attended by 5 spokespersons of different security institutions, media authorities, the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, UNESCO, and practice journalists based in Juba.