Matia Samuel
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJoSS) lamented about the lack of knowledge about the roles of media among the security personnel.
This came after some members of the national security service confiscated valid Media Authority accreditation cards belonging to UJoSS President Oyet Patrick and his cameraman Samuel Adud while filming along the Juba International Airport Road on Monday.
Mr Oyet is a state correspondent for the Chinese media house, CTGN.
The Secretary-General for the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, Majak Alier, said it is important for the government to train members of its security personnel on the work of journalists and the media laws.
“We, the media practitioners, are very afraid. The authority, the leadership of security and the media authority is supposed to educate members of the security community about the work of the journalists and the laws that we have,” he urged.
He added, “We are calling for an amount for cessation, an amount for jurisdiction, and an amount to depressing.”
However, Majak confirmed that the documents that were confiscated by the security were handed over on Tuesday to the Union president
“On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, UJoSS received the two accreditation cards that were confiscated after a meeting with the director of the Directorate of Political Affairs division, although the incident was unpleasant and uncalled for,” he noted in a statement.
He added that the director apologized and expressed regret for the ignorance displayed by his subordinates when they confronted the duo.
“We, as a union, saw this incident as a violation of media freedom as stipulated in the media laws and the transitional constitution of South Sudan 2011 as amended.”
“We urge anybody and particularly the security personnel who might have any grievances against journalists or media workers to follow or adhere to the Media Authority Act, 2013,” Majak added.
To foster a pluralistic, independent, and vibrant media in South Sudan, Majak urged the Media Authority to take the lead and educate government security agencies on the media role.
Last year, a report from the UN Human Rights Council painted a harrowing picture of the plight of journalists in South Sudan.
It claimed that the authorities do not only restrict access to information but also impose an environment of fear and surveillance, casting a long, chilling shadow over the South Sudanese democratic landscape.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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