Media in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, yesterday held their first ever meeting with heads of security agencies to harmonize relations especially during the elections.
During the meeting held at Yei Community Resource Centre in Hai Nyakama, journalists called upon security officials from Public Security, Criminal Investigations and Special Branch headed by the Commissioner of Police, Jacob Matoc to create an enabling environment in order to allow a smooth coverage of the electoral process.Akim Olum Mugisa, from Spirit FM, said journalists need cooperation and protection from harassment and intimidation by security agents to enable them exercise their roles of informing and educating the public.
Mr. Mugisa urged the security officials to release his station’s audio recording machines confiscated from a reporter in January.
Two journalists were arrested and released without charges while part of their equipment like cameras, cell phones and notebooks including identification cards were returned by County Commissioner who wrote to the military authorities.
Programme Assistant of Yei Community Resource centre, Noel Kaiga, said as much as the security organs are supposed to ensure peaceful elections, journalists had the responsibility to inform the masses on important issues concerning the electorate.
Mr. Kaiga urged the media to spread accurate information to prepare and encourage people to participate in the voting process as well as explaining the importance of free and fair elections.