UJOSS calls for release of Voice of America journalist Diing 

The Union of Journalists in South Sudan has called for the immediate release of Voice of America journalist Diing Magot who was detained on Sunday by police while covering street protests over high cost of living in Juba. 

Oyet Patrick Charles, the President of UJOSS on Thursday, said that the authorities have reached agreement with his team to release the journalist whom Oyet said was detained in violation of the bill of rights under the South Sudan constitution.

“On Wednesday, a team of lawyers representing  Diing and UJOSS for that reason applied for an access to be granted, so they could access Diing as well as  other journalists or any other person who wants to talk to Diing to have access to her, this access was granted ,” Oyet said on Thursday in Juba.

Diing was arrested alongside 6 suspected protestors, one of whom is nursing a gunshot wound in the leg.

The journalist was recently transferred to Juba Central Prison from Malakia police where she was first detained. 

Oyet said that his team managed to access Diing on Wednesday, adding that they also held discussion with several officials, advisors in the ministries and legal experts.

He disclosed that the media authority is cooperating with UJOSS.

“They (media authority) promised in principle that Diing will be released from custody because there are no charges that have been brought against her,”Oyet said.

Oyet encouraged security agencies to channel grievances against journalists through the South Sudan Media Authority.