The National Legislative Assembly has denied media reports that its security personnel manhandled a local journalist last Monday while he was covering the proceedings at the House.
Media reports said Mading Ngor, who hosts Wake up Juba show on Bakhita Radio, was humiliated and beaten by security guards in the parliament hall.The chairperson of the information committee, Joy Kwaje, told journalists today that the investigations carried out after the incident show that Mr Ngor offered strong resistance when the security officers asked him to leave the main chamber of the Assembly.
She explained that due to the increase in MPs, non-members of Parliament are required to occupy the gallery.
She said security personnel did not beat Mr. Ngor.
Ms. Kwaje accused Mr Ngor of poor journalist ethics.
A witness who was at the scene on Monday said on condition of anonymity that Mr. Ngor showed signs of manhandling after the incident.
She said he was crying and his trousers were torn.
Akim Dario, the honorary secretary of AMDISS, the Association for Media Development in South Sudan, said that mistakes are made but they should not be solved with beatings.
South Sudan does not have its media laws yet, a fact that pushes security personnel to arrest or harass journalists with impunity.
Ms. Kwaje announced that the assembly has resolved to give priority to the media bills to avoid similar incidents in future.