 Country Director, Henrik Stabell, has called on the Government of South Sudan and all stakeholders to reinforce legal protections for journalists and uphold freedom of expression.){kind=link}
Ginaba Lino|CRN|Juba
The Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Country Director, Henrik Stabell, has called on the Government of South Sudan and all stakeholders to reinforce legal protections for journalists and uphold freedom of expression.
Speaking at the World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Juba, Stabell stressed that press freedom is a pillar of democracy and essential in building a just and resilient society.
“Media is important to NPA, but it must first and foremost be important to any nation that wants to build democracy,” said Stabell. “Today, we honor the vital role journalists play in ensuring transparency, accountability, and in giving citizens a voice.”
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has operated in South Sudan for nearly 40 years with a focus on humanitarian relief, particularly in areas of food security, supporting media and civil society engagement.
He acknowledged the challenges journalists face in South Sudan, including limited resources, lack of protection, and low compensation.“We pay tribute to brave journalists. Their work continues under immense pressure and difficult conditions,” he added.
Stabell also urged journalists to maintain high ethical standards, report truthfully, and serve the public with integrity. “I hope all of us will now strive for a free and fair press in South Sudan,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to South Sudan, Timo Olkkonen, echoed similar concerns. He emphasized the global threats to press freedom and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting independent journalism.
“There’s still much work to be done,” said Olkkonen. “Free, independent, and diverse journalism is essential to any democratic society. We encourage journalists to seek continuous training and adhere to the highest ethical standards.”