The relations between the security organs and the media practitioners have not improved and in some cases even worsened since last year.
The assessment comes from Alfred Taban, representing the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) Chairperson during a forum on media and security in Juba on Friday.He cited the case of security personnel ordering Bakhita Radio management to take presenter Mading Ngor off air, saying the incident was very serious and unfortunate.
Mr Taban, who runs the Juba Monitor, said the work of the security is not to close programmes but give advised in case of mistakes.
Norwegian People’s Aid or NPA representative Boboya James urged security sectors and media houses to relate within the relevant laws that govern South Sudan.
He acknowledged mistakes that could be attributed to absence of media laws.
National Deputy Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atem Yak Atem appealed to the media and security organs to accept one another.
He said media and the security organs were both working for the interests of the people of South Sudan.
Mr Yak advised journalists and security personnel to talk with each other before taking any action.
Major General Makur Marol Aduot from the Interior Ministry said he hoped the forum cleared misunderstandings between the media and the security for the betterment of the people of South Sudan.
Brigadier General Ramadan Chadar Ohok of the National Security appreciated the forum.
He said there should be some compromising to bridge difference between the media and security organs.
AMDISS organized the one-day media and security forum in collaboration with NPA.