Union of Journalists of South Sudan, UJOSS Chairman while marking World Press Freedom Day in Juba on Saturday, decried lots of challenges encountered by journalists in their operation.
Oliver Modi said media houses and individual journalists in the country encounter a lot of challenges, cautioning them to respect others’ rights to avoid confrontation.
He called for press freedom to promote dialogue and democratic governance in South Sudan.
Association of Media Development in South Sudan, AMDISS treasurer Alfred Taban said he objected celebration of press freedom in South Sudan where there is killing and harassment of journalists.
He revealed that three journalists were killed over the last five months and ten others forced to exile in Kenya.
Mr Taban decried harassment, threats, tortures and killings of journalists by the army and the police, saying there was nothing to celebrate, but only voicing cries of the status of media in South Sudan.
UNESCO Country Representative Salah Khaled called for respect to the press and adherence to professionalism.
He urged governments to provide safety for press operation and bring to justice, the violators of press freedom.