By Binia Elizabeth

The Association of Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) said it is deeply concerned about the deteriorating media environment in the country.

In a statement released by the office of the chairperson yesterday, the association called on the government to provide answers on the arrests of Adil Faris Mayat and Emmanuel Monychol Akop, who are both detained without access to justice and legal representation.

“AMDISS was reliably informed that Adil Faris Mayat and Emmanuel Monychol Akop were being detained by the government security agencies,” the statement said.

It called on the government to immediately produce the two journalists to a competent court and make favorable conditions for legal aid, access to communicate with their families and allow regular visit intervals as required by the law.

AMDISS unveiled that according to the information that it obtained, on 28 November, officers believed to be from the National Security Service visited The Dawn Daily Newspaper office in Juba, held a meeting with Akop, and subsequently took him into custody.

Meanwhile, AMDISS said concerning the matter of Adil Faris Mayat, he was arrested on Thursday, 23 January 2025, and he is being held incommunicado. “Since the arrest of the two journalists, the government neither confirms nor denies the claims that they are being detained by security agencies.”

However, it appealed to the government to break the silence on the systematic arrest of journalists and assure the public of its commitment to upholding press freedom and the safety of journalists, noting that every aggression against a journalist is an attack on the most fundamental freedoms.

The media association expressed worries that the manner in which the two journalists were arrested and detained without producing them to a competent court is causing fear among other journalists at this critical time when journalists are supposed to play their role in covering the peace talks in Nairobi and other current affairs issues in the country.

AMDISS suggested the establishment of the Media Appeal Board, Press and Complaints Committee, Hearings Committee, Complaints and Monitoring Committee, and Legal Counsel to handle media complaints as provided for in the Media Authority Act 2013.