Civil society groups on Saturday discussed in Juba the three media bills submitted to the National Legislative Assembly and decided to lobby the parliament to amend and remove all provisions which restrict independence of the media bodies.
The participants noted key deficiencies in the provisions of the Right of Access to Information Bill 2012 and that of the Media Authority Bill 2012.They noted lack of guarantees to protect the nomination process for the of the Information Commissioner from any Government or political interference.
They added that oversight bodies to be established under the Media Authority Bill are under ministerial administrative and financial control against the principles of independent media oversight.
Similar recommendations on the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation bill will be submitted to the said committee and the public hearing.
The civil society groups said if the amendments they proposed are accepted, the three media bills will substantially meet best international standards to guarantee freedom of expression, media independence and that of the oversight bodies.