Government Vows to Protect Journalists During Election Period
By Kidega Livingstone
The government, through the Ministry of Information, Communication and Postal Services, has promised to protect journalists as long as they abide by professional ethics during their work and through the election period.
Speaking at a training session for over 60 journalists on court-reporting, organised by the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), Deputy Minister David Yau Yau said journalists should work professionally and with ethical standards so they avoid misinforming the public especially during the election. He emphasised that elections must be “free and fair” when media coverage is professional.
“In the field of your work we are going to protect you. Your work must be ethical enough so that we will be able to protect you in case of any danger. Our work should take this country forward,” he said. He added: “Let us not attack each other. We are all here to work for the economic development of our country.”
Meanwhile, Managing Director of the South Sudan Media Authority (SSMA), Elija Alier Kuai, described the Authority as a bridge among all media-stakeholders to build a media environment that informs people, respects dignity and protects press freedom in South Sudan. “As journalists you carry a profound responsibility to report impartially, accurately and ethically for the development of this country,” he said.
A representative of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Joyce Maker, noted that the development of any country depends on the transparency of an independent media, which provides direction to the government and development partners. “We believe that independent media is transparent for the development of this country,” she said, adding: “Applying accuracy, transparency and balance … because of the South Sudan context.”
