Juba, South Sudan| Doran| As South Sudan prepares to commemorate World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday, media stakeholders call for need to unrestricted access to information and the freedom to report on national issues without fear.
During a panel discussion hosted on Saturday at Radio Bakhita by members of the Media Stakeholders group—organizers of the upcoming Press Freedom Day celebration—speakers emphasized the importance of journalistic independence and ethical reporting.
Tapeng Michael, a representative of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), which has long championed media freedom and professional standards, acknowledged the government’s support in promoting press freedom.
He says journalist will continue to do their work despite the difficult environment many are facing.
“We the journalists are playing a key role in shaping conversations around politics, the economy, health, and other societal issues,” Michael said. “We cannot remain silent when things go wrong. As journalists, we are the watchdogs of society. If we fail to perform that role, we are not doing justice to our profession.”
Michael also raised concerns about the threats, harassment, and intimidation journalists continue to face from security forces, calling for an immediate end to such practices.
Hellen Samuel, a veteran producer with Eye Radio, echoed the call for impartiality in reporting. “As a journalist, I should not put myself in the story,” she said. “If I do, I risk being biased. Our role is to present facts and allow the audience to form their own opinions.”
The 32nd edition of World Press Freedom Day will be commemorated under the theme: “Support Enabling Environment for Media in South Sudan.”
The event will bring together national media stakeholders, journalists, civil society organizations, development partners, and government institutions. It will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions addressing press freedom and the importance of freedom of expression as a pillar of democracy.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day celebration is jointly organized by the with support from UNESCO,Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), JHR: Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and the European Union (EU).
