Media authority begins accrediting journalists

The media authority has commenced the process of accrediting journalists in the country.

“This is to inform the media fraternity that media authority will commence the accreditation of bona fide national journalists in the republic of South Sudan with effect from Monday, October 17, 2022,” said Elijah Alier Kuai, the managing director for media authority.

He was speaking during a press conference on Wednesday at their offices in the Gumbo suburb of Juba.

 “The purpose of the accreditation is to certify recognition of working journalists, and other qualified media practitioners, the accreditation of journalists shall be made in accordance with the media authority regulation on accreditation of journalists, 2018,” said Alier.

He called on journalists seeking accreditation to submit their application during normal working hours.

“Accreditation shall be guaranted only to an individual upon presentation of professional certificates, a recommendation letter duly issued by the media agency for which the media professional works, and filled application form,” said Alier.

Oyet Patrick Charles, the President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) said the move by the media authority to register journalists will guard and protect profession standards.

“The move in my opinion and I think as a union is a good move because it will help in as far as identification is concerned,” said Charles.

Patrick said media staff gets into problems with security agents because they lack documents identifying them as journalists.

 “I think, this is going to be a good thing, the only concern we have it should not really suppress freedom of expression, it should come to a point whereby if you do not have ID you are not allowed to cover event,” he added.