Southern Sudanese media: Free, sort of
Oliver Modi, chair of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), emphasised the media's critical role in disseminating information throughout the semi-autonomous region after more than two decades of civil war.
But he expressed deep concern over recent attacks on press freedom, including the confiscation of newspapers and recent arrests of reporters.
George Garang Deng, Undersecretary GoSS Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.With senior officials from the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) in attendance, Modi recounted several incidents that had compromised media independence.
"This year, a journalist from The Citizen newspaper was beaten by security forces as he tried to report on a demolition at Juba University," Modi said.
He also cited the arrest of Nhial Bol, the daily's editor-in-chief, for writing about an attack on his driver and reporter.
Separately, the Juba Post's editor, Michael Korma, had come under harassment for publishing an article that the government deemed a threat to the country's security. Editions of the Juba Post were seized by security officials before they could be distributed.
"What we put out should be balanced.It should not incite problems."
Elsewhere, Juba's Bakhita Radio and Liberty FM were threatened with closure by Central Equatoria State security officials for reasons Modi called "dubious".
The event was characterised by counteracting speeches.
The GoSS Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, represented by Undersecretary George Garang Deng, accused journalists of "reporting on the principles of irresponsibility, dishonesty and inaccuracy".
He defended the government for providing a "free and fair" media environment despite the absence of press laws.
"We believe there is no functional society without media."
Jan Ledang, Country Director of Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) in Southern Sudan, praised the media's vital presence during Sudan's historic elections and the referendum on Southern Sudanese independence.
Stressing that "silence kills democracy", he called for greater sensitisation of government officials who may not fully understand the role of the media in Southern Sudanese society.
Journalists also weighed in on the absence of media legislation, which is seen by many as a stumbling block in the run-up to independence in Southern Sudan.
Jacob Lupai, working with Sudan Tribune.But Jacob Lupai, a commentator for the Sudan Tribune, was optimistic that the press will thrive in the new nation, and that once press laws are introduced, they will provide both guidance and a legal framework for working journalists.
The media in Southern Sudan are beset by numerous challenges affecting their daily operations. These include inadequate resources and difficult logistics that limit journalists' capacity to provide consistent and comprehensive coverage.
This year's World Press Freedom Day marked the 20th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration for the promotion of free and pluralistic media. The declaration was adopted after a conference held in the Namibian capital on the development of a free African press and its critical role in the development and preservation of democracy and economic development.
The UN General Assembly established World Press Freedom Day two years later.
