Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Authority in Western Bharel Ghazal has issued a gagging order warning all journalists to stop reporting any government officials’ statement except from the Governor and the Deputy Governor.
The suspension order did not specify the motivesbehind the move of stopping media from reporting officials’ statement but cautionedall the media operating in the state to refrain from reporting any officials’say until further notices.
In a suspension letter dated October 20 and obtainedby Juba Monitor, the Deputy governor, Zachariah Joseph Garang warned all themedia outlets in the state stopping them from speaking to related authoritiesin the state.
“Based on directives of the Deputy Governor of WBGS, Wau, you are hereby requested not to record or broadcast any media statements from all Constitutional post holders and relevant authorities in the state except the Governor and the Deputy Governor of WBGS/Wau who are the only reliable sources. We therefore, urge your authorities to cooperate and adhere to these directives without failure,” reads part of the order signed by Alexander Upiou Angelo the Executive Director.
In the press release issued by Union of Journalistsof South Sudan (UJOSS), Mr. President Oyet Patrick Charles said the ban was aviolation of Art 24 of the Constitution which enshrined right to freedom ofexpression.
“It also denies journalists and the public anopportunity to question and hear from constitutional post holders on burningissues in state,” he said.
“UJOSS condemns this ban and demands that the officeof the Deputy Governor of Western Bharel Ghazal State {to} withdraw the ban,” headded.
UJOSS also added that the would engage allstakeholders including Media Authority to made sure that journalists weregranted right of access to information in accordance to the laws.
However, the Executive Director of CommunityEmpowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani said that the stateorder banning media from speaking to officials was disturbing, seriousviolation.
“A state order that was issued for media orjournalist not to speak to any constitutional post holder apart from theGovernor and Deputy Governor, is a bit disturbing especially with regard withissue to right to access to information and freedom of speech,” Yakani said.
And specifically when you {journalists} want toreach to any information about any development in the state in a timely manner,where the Minister of Information is constitutionally the spokesperson of thegovernment who deserves to speak to media or any relevant Ministers. That meanit’s going to be problematic, “he added.
Yakani questioned the state authority that in caseof urgent need of answer and the governor and deputy were busy and could speakto media, what would happen if the public need to be informed in due time.
Early October this year, the Chairperson ofInformation Committee in Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly(R-TNLA), Paul Yoane Bonju, warned media against reporting on the payment ofthe lawmakers.
He mentioned severe consequences including stern lawsuit and withdrawal of operation license from any media house that would insistin reporting financial transaction of the August house without consent of theSpeaker or Deputy Speaker. According to Reporters without Borders (RSF) 2021,South Sudan was ranked number 139 out of 180 countries in World PressIndex.
Article 24 of the Transitional Constitution of theRepublic of South Sudan guarantees freedom of expression and media. “Everycitizen shall have the right to the freedom of expression, reception anddissemination of information, publication and access to the press withoutprejudice to order, safety or morals as prescribed by law.”
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