Upper Nile Minister for Information denied reports that two journalists were arrested during Independence Day celebrations in Malakal.
Journalists John Amum Kak and Peter Nguojo were held immediately after they finished presenting a program during the first commemoration of South Sudan’s independence, Voice of Love reported.Minister Philip Jiben Ogal said he did not know the reason for the arrests.
Mr Jiben said the security personnel need to know that journalists are as nationalists as any other citizen in the country.
Both Peter Nguojo and John Amum work as journalists in the ministry of information and do part time work with the Catholic Radio Voice of Love in Malakal.
The minister for information dismissed the arrests saying their were not a serious issue.
Mr Jiben explained that some flags of South Sudan were hung upside-down in the stadium and the two journalists were arrested for that reason.
The two journalists were detained and released without charges.
The minister said that there was need train the organized forces to improve relations between them and the media.
Mr Jiben said the two journalists are free doing their normal duties.