The Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) has launched its two-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Juba, setting the stage for the election of a new executive board as the organization confronts mounting financial and operational challenges.
The meeting, which brings together media professionals, partners, and key stakeholders, will conclude on Friday with a vote expected to shape AMDISS’s leadership and direction for the next two years.
Opening the session, AMDISS Executive Director Irene Aya praised the outgoing board for its leadership during a difficult period for the country’s media sector.
“We all know that the media environment in South Sudan is full of emergencies and crises. We at the secretariat could not handle it alone,” she said. “The executive board has been there to mentor us and provide advice that has enabled AMDISS to move forward despite difficult conditions.”
Aya revealed that AMDISS has suffered a major financial setback, losing nearly 80 percent of its funding previously supported by USAID. Despite this, she acknowledged the critical support of partners such as Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), which has provided office space, and Norwegian People’s Aid, which continues to offer financial assistance.
She also credited IFEX for strengthening AMDISS’s global engagement and Reporters Without Borders for supporting journalists with essential equipment.
Despite the funding crisis, Aya commended the resilience of AMDISS staff, who have continued operations under constrained conditions. She confirmed that the upcoming board elections will The Chairperson of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), Josephine Achiro, has called for urgent efforts to strengthen the country’s media sector, with particular focus on supporting struggling community radio stations.
AMDISS Chairperson Josephin Achiro also highlighted the growing challenges faced by community radios, including high operational costs, fuel shortages, expensive equipment, and the burden of license renewal fees. She urged the government to review and reduce licensing costs to make them more affordable for media houses.
Achiro also stressed the need to equip journalists with skills ahead of upcoming elections, emphasizing that proper training is essential to ensure accurate and responsible reporting during the electoral period.
She encouraged the AMDISS Board of Directors to set a positive example in the organization’s upcoming elections, noting that the country could learn from a transparent and credible process.
The Chair further underscored the importance of continued support from development partners, saying it strengthens the institution and enables AMDISS to effectively carry out its mandate.
Representing Norwegian Church Aid, Deputy Director Michael Oluwuko highlighted AMDISS’s impact on media development and capacity building, noting that many organizations have directly benefited from its work.
“We are among the first beneficiaries of the work that AMDISS is doing. Many of our activities are covered by your members, and some of our staff have been trained here,” he said.
Oluwuko commended AMDISS for consistently holding its Annual General Meetings, describing them as a sign of accountability and transparency. However, he urged the organization to rethink its funding model in light of shrinking global donor support.
“We are operating in a very different world. Financial constraints are affecting NGOs globally,” he said. “As you meet here, reflect on how best to generate resources to sustain this organization.”
He also called on journalists to uphold professionalism and ethical standards, particularly as South Sudan approaches a critical electoral period, stressing the media’s role as “the voice and conscience of society.”
Access to Information Commissioner Hon. Mayiga described the AGM as a vital platform for reflection, collaboration, and innovation. He urged media stakeholders to explore local and regional resources to sustain the industry, rather than relying solely on Western support.
“We are a very rich society. We have resources, but we need to find ways of mobilizing them,” he said. “As media, you are at the frontline of society to inform, educate, and guide.”
The AGM is expected to provide a comprehensive review of AMDISS’s progress, challenges, and strategic priorities, with the election of a new board seen as a critical step in steering the organization through an increasingly complex media environment.
