By Ginaba Lino
The State Minister of Information in Eastern Equatoria State has blamed the high cost of media licensing for limiting access to information and preventing major media outlets, including Eye Radio, from operating in the state.
Speaking during the final day of the Media and Security Conference organized by the Ministry of Information, Telecommunication and Postal Services, Minister Ahaji Elia John said residents of Eastern Equatoria continue to miss access to services provided by Eye Radio due to licensing challenges.
According to the minister, Eye Radio has already established its infrastructure in Torit but is yet to receive an operational license, preventing it from going on air.
“High cost required for getting licensing. This one has affected us much. The people of Eastern Equatoria are denied the service of Eye Radio due to this. Eye Radio has not been given an operating license. They have put their radio, it is ready. It is just a matter of switching on and it goes on air. But the problem is, I wish the Media Authority were here. You are supposed to support these people. The people are yearning for this service. Can’t you even subsidize?”
Minister Elia urged government institutions to cooperate and prioritize the right to information, stressing that citizens in Eastern Equatoria have the right to access information from different media platforms.
“Let us cooperate and prioritize the right to information because it is the right of the people of Eastern Equatoria to access information shared by Eye Radio. Why are we denying the people of Eastern Equatoria the service of Eye Radio?”
He further called on the Media Authority to review and reduce licensing fees for media houses to allow them to operate more effectively. He suggested flexible payment arrangements or credit support during the current economic crisis to help media institutions remain operational.
“Even if we have a loan, can’t you give them a loan? During this process, we have learned something. As a government, together with the security actors and media actors, we have learned that coordination reduces harm.”
Highlighting progress in the state, Honorable Elia said the Eastern Equatoria government, through the Ministry of Information, continues encouraging journalists to focus on local content that can be verified and defended.
He said promoting community-based reporting helps inform citizens, strengthens civic participation, and reduces reliance on unverified information circulating online.
The minister said Eastern Equatoria has remained relatively peaceful because journalists in the state demonstrate professionalism and responsibility in their reporting.
He further assured the public of government commitment to continue strengthening cooperation with the media, especially as South Sudan approaches the general elections.
Minister Elia also thanked NPA and AMDISS for recent media training conducted in Eastern Equatoria, saying the initiative has strengthened reporting capacity, improved accuracy, reduced misinformation, and increased public confidence in the media sector.