The three-day public hearing on the media bills that ended on Saturday in Juba was frank and open and registered a good participation from media practitioners and public in general.
The event, called by the Parliamentary Committees of Information, Telecommunication and Culture and of Legislation and Legal Affairs, was attended by Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Information and Justice, the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Members of Parliament, representatives of media organizations, and members of the public.Each day was devoted to the presentation and discussion of a single bill: Right of Access to Information Bill, Broadcasting Corporation Bill, and Media Authority Bill.
The Association for Media Development in South Sudan, AMDISS, pinpointed specific articles for revision, while the Human Rights Commission underlined the need for independent regulatory bodies.
Samuel Manase Lomodi, from the Human Rights Commission, praised the exercise.
He said the participation of the public will lend the laws a sense of ownership.
Mr Manase added that he expected the legislators to take note of the suggestions presented during the public hearing.
Joy Kwaje, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee of Information, said the three bills were very important for the new nation.
She thanked the participants for the frank and open debate, which underlined the need for independent media and independent regulatory bodies to allow freedom of information in South Sudan.
Ms Kwaje said that the two parliamentary committees will draft a report for the National Legislative Assembly.
She added that the second reading of the three media bills could take place at the end of November, each bill on a separate day.
Over 100 people attended the last day of the public hearing.