 met with the spokesperson of the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) to explore avenues for collaboration on journalist safety, media awareness, and mutual cooperation between the press and the military.){kind=link}
By Otto Abut|CRN| 27 May 2025
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) met with the spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to explore avenues for collaboration on journalist safety, media awareness, and mutual cooperation between the press and the military.
The meeting, held on Monday, 26th May 2025, brought together UJOSS Chairperson Mr. Oyet Patrick and Safety and Protection Officer Mr. Johnson Juma, alongside SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang. The discussion focused on improving relations and building mutual understanding between journalists and military personnel.
“There is a need for stronger understanding between the media and the military,” Mr. Oyet emphasized. “This will help bridge the gap and ensure both sides are better informed about each other’s roles.”
As part of the ongoing collaboration, UJOSS announced plans to host a joint workshop in late June in Bilpham, targeting over 50 SSPDF officers and 30 journalists. The workshop will focus on media awareness and journalist safety in conflict-sensitive environments.
“This workshop is a step toward improving cooperation and creating a safer, more informed working environment for both journalists and military personnel,” Oyet added.
Major General Lul Ruai welcomed the initiative, calling it “timely and much-needed.”
“We appreciate UJOSS for taking this step forward; these are the kinds of initiatives we have been waiting for,” he said.
The upcoming workshop marks one of the first formal engagements between the two institutions, aiming to build trust and foster better working relationships between the media and the military in South Sudan.