Media practitioners appealed to the Government to recognize the fundamental importance of freedom of expression “as an individual human right and a cornerstone of democracy.”
Association for Media Development in South Sudan or AMDISS official Stephen Tut Puol published on Thursday a press statement to mark the World Press Freedom Day to be celebrated on Friday.Mr Tut said AMDISS condemns the ongoing censorship on the media, threats, intimidation, harassment, arrest and killing of journalists by some elements in the government.
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan documented 15 incidents against journalists between May 2012 and 2013: one journalist was killed, nine arrested, two were called for explanations, one suspended without pay and another went into exile due to intimidation.
One incident was not detailed.
Mr Tut said South Sudan can still improve its image by enacting media laws that regulate rights and freedoms of journalists.
He added that the freedom of expression “protects the right of the public to receive high quality information from a different variety of sources.”
Mr Tut concluded that the media “must recognise the rights of others, and must at all times respect human dignity, as well as conforming to the highest ethical standard, promoting peace and protecting human rights.”