The Difference Between Journalism and Political Smear Campaigns

By Manguen Manguen

A media platform earns public trust through accuracy, fairness, and verifiable evidence, not sensational allegations or political attacks. When serious accusations are published without credible proof or proper verification, they raise legitimate concerns about the ethical standards of the press.

Distinguishing journalism from political smear campaigns in South Sudan requires examining the structural divide between verified reporting and deliberate information manipulation. Journalism relies on professional standards of verification, public accountability, and rigorous fact-checking. Conversely, political smear campaigns use fabricated narratives, hate speech, and disinformation to achieve targeted partisan objectives.

In fragile nations, this distinction serves as a core pillar of democratic stability. Scholarly literature on media development in East Africa emphasizes that professional journalism informs the public through conflict-sensitive reporting, whereas political actors weaponize smear campaigns to deepen ethnic divisions, incite offline violence, and erode trust in public institutions.

Real journalism is built on facts. Verifiable documentation, official audit records, or reliable sources must support allegations of corruption or the misuse of public funds. Recently, some media outlets went so far as to speculate that Gen. Santo Akol Areech would soon declare himself the “Ibrahim Traoré of South Sudan”—referencing the Burkinabé military officer currently serving as Interim President of Burkina Faso. Without a solid factual foundation, such claims degenerate into speculation that unfairly damages reputations and misleads the public.

Public officials must be held accountable, including Gen. Santo Akol Arech, Private Secretary in the Office of the President, alongside other senior government representatives serving South Sudan. However, true accountability relies on evidence, not unverified claims. While constructive criticism strengthens a nation, unsupported allegations foster division and erode public confidence.

Furthermore, government financial operations follow established procedures and statutory oversight. Allegations of wrongdoing should be investigated through designated legal and institutional channels rather than reported as proven fact without substantiation.

South Sudan belongs to all its citizens, and our shared responsibility is to promote truth, justice, and national unity. Publishers must be prepared to substantiate their claims with evidence, just as those accused retain the right to respond and seek legal remedy. Truth does not fear scrutiny. It is established through evidence, transparency, and due process, never through rumors or unverified claims.

The author, Manguen Manguen, is a senior public commentator based in South Sudan