As South Sudan joined the rest of the globe to celebrate World Press Day, the European Union (EU) has underscored the importance of promoting an open and democratic society.
On its Twitter page on Tuesday, the EU further emphasised the importance of independent media in not only supporting the exchange of views but also promoting transparency and accountability in a given democratic state.
“We pay tribute to South Sudanese journalists and reiterate the importance of a free and independent media as a cornerstone of an open and democratic society. It supports transparency, accountability, and exchange of views, which are so crucial in South Sudan, “the EU tweeted.
Since 2013, South Sudan has remained one of the most dangerous environments for media practitioners despite having rich legislation on the media and individual freedom of expression. Over the past years, the country has continued to be at the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index list, published annually by Reporters Without Borders. However, in 2022, South Sudan posted an improved score, moving from a rank of 139 to 128 in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Despite South Sudan establishing a Media Regulatory Authority in 2016 to oversee the media industry, and promote a vibrant, independent, and pluralistic media, harassment and impunity against journalists abound.
Recently, eight journalists, including two from The City Review, and an activist were arrested and their gadgets confiscated by state security agents while covering “an unauthorised press conference” organised by disgruntled members of parliament at the parliamentary building.
None of the crimes committed against journalists has been tried in a court of law despite several calls on leaders to investigate and bring the perpetrators to book.
“My appeal is that protection should be provided to journalists, this protection is not like extraordinary protection, and by protecting journalists you are protecting human rights which is a right of everybody,” President of the Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS), Patrick Oyet urged President Salva Kiir recently.
According to UJOSS, since June 2021, it has registered several cases of threats and detention of journalists without trial across South Sudan, including in Juba and the states.