Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Secretary-General of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), Majak Daniel Kuany, has warned journalists to refrain from using language that could inflame tensions and urged them to rigorously verify their information.
Speaking at the opening of one-day dialogue organised by the Men for Women organisation on Friday in Juba, Kuany stressed that responsible reporting is essential to preventing misunderstandings and maintaining stability.
“It is your duty to ensure women understand their rights to be candidates, to vote, and to hold public office,” Kuany said.
Kuany stated that journalists and civil society have a responsibility to promote awareness among women voters and candidates.
“You must eliminate biases that are discriminatory in nature, particularly during elections.”
He pointed to persistent gender disparities, including the low number of women leading political parties.
“I understand only two women head political parties in this country,” he said. “It is your role to provide civic education so women know they have the right to register parties and hold leadership positions.”
He urged journalists to scrutinise how their stories are framed to eliminate biases that discriminatory.
“Sometimes women are portrayed as if political parties are giving them favours,” he said. “Frame stories so their names stand clearly as spelled, not in reference to their male counterparts.”
For her part, Chairperson of the Female Journalists Network (FJN), Zarah Saeed, has urged journalists in South Sudan to adopt more gender-sensitive reporting practices ahead of the country’s anticipated first general elections.
Saeed stated that the engagement marked the beginning of continuous collaboration with the media.
“To be among the pioneers, I’m sure this will not be the last engagement with journalists,” she said. “It will continue until the last day of the election, even post-election. You’ll continue engaging with the journalists.”
Saeed emphasised that how the media frames election stories has a direct impact on women’s political participation.
“Some journalists, not all, do not report sensitively. They stereotype women,” she said.
She cited a case from the 2010 elections, where a woman from Eastern Equatoria defied cultural norms to contest for a parliamentary seat.
“Her nomination papers were rejected by the party, so she went solo as an independent,” Saeed recalled. “Out of 15 men who contested with her, she beat them all. She is still a member of parliament representing Maku County today.”
Saeed stated that the example demonstrates the importance of fair coverage.
“Do not underestimate women. Give women what they deserve. Don’t look at them as if they cannot do anything,” she said.
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