Margret Gaitano, Director of Don Bosco Radio in Tonj, recently spoke with Voice of Hope Radio, urging journalists in Greater Bahr el Ghazal to remain committed to professional ethics despite the country’s economic hardships.
Gaitano compared the dedication required in journalism to that of military service, encouraging media professionals to prioritize their responsibilities over personal needs.
“Military personnel cannot abandon their duty for basic needs because they are dedicated to their profession and country,” she remarked.
Gaitano highlighted the importance of accurate information, particularly in rural areas where residents rely heavily on local news. She urged journalists to deliver high-quality content to inspire hope within communities, regardless of challenges.
Finally, Gaitano encouraged journalists to set aside financial concerns and other distractions that may hinder their work, advocating for patience, flexibility, and a spirit of service.
Her remarks shared during an interview with Voice of Hope Radio, underline the crucial role of journalism in community upliftment.
This came as part of a media training initiative organized by the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), supported by UNESCO South Sudan. The workshop, held at Arco Hotel in Wau from October 24–25, 2024, served as an induction for station managers and news/program editors from the Greater Bahr el-Ghazal Region.
Participants included station managers and editors from Don Bosco, Door, Werbei, Voice of Hope, Akol Yam, Mayardit, Good News, and Kong Koch radio stations.
The workshop focused on critical topics such as electoral reporting, the role of media during elections, conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive reporting, fact-checking, media and information literacy (MIL), countering hate speech, and ethical, accurate journalism.
This training brought together 30 station managers and editors, providing them with a platform to exchange experiences, foster collaboration, and better align their programs with audience expectations while upholding editorial independence.
