NPC-SS opens Two-day workshop for C.E.S Parliamentarians

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Juba, March 27, 2024 – The National Press Club-South Sudan (NPC-SS) has started a two-day Capacity-building workshop for Central Equatoria State Parliamentarians.

Supported by UNESCO, the event aimed at developing the capacity of state lawmakers on Freedom of Expression, Access to Information, Safety of Journalists, and understanding of the Role of Journalists.
During the opening, UNESCO’s country representative, Mr. Julius Banda said “Freedom of Expression is the drive of all the development goals.” He challenged the lawmakers to ensure their laws were consistent and based on international standards.
Julius lamented that the largest number of children are out of school, saying, “In South Sudan, we have an ironic education; more children are at home than in school,” adding that 2.2 million children attend school while 2.8 million are out of school.
On his part the speaker of the CES parliament lauded UNESCO and NPC-SS for making the trainings possible. He challenged the participants to pay keen attention to the training and use the knowledge to benefit the people of Central Equatoria State and South Sudan.
The speaker also called upon UNESCO and NPC-SS to continue funding and organizing the invaluable trainings.
Bullen Kenyi Wani, NPC-SS Chairperson emphasized the essence of training law makers and law enforcers on media freedom, adding that NPC-SS with support from UNESCO and other stakeholders is committed to making such relevant trainings possible, especially as the country prepare for it’s elections.

The two-day workshop which brought together 30 Hon. Members would end on March 28, 2024 after an indepth facilitation from experts such as Prof. Chaplain Kara Yakoju and Justice Justin Alala.

Workshop for CES parliamentarians, Participants’ group photo

Workshop for CES parliamentarians, Participants attending to presentations

NPC-SS Executive Director among high-level delegates to Liberia.

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Mr. James Ochaya Philip, executive director of National Press Club-South Sudan,  was among the South Sudan delegation on a mission to Monrovia, Liberia.

The mission was organized and spearheaded by the United Nations Women (UN Women) aimed to engage delegates in several learning activities; meeting different Liberian counterparts on the Transitional Reform Process and election, among others.
The high-level delegation has drawn participants from various institutions including the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (NTLA), Academia, Women Block, Civil Society, and the Media.
NPC-SS in the personality of the executive director, Mr. Ochaya is among the media organizations nominated by UN Women to join the mission.
NPC-SS with other partners will continue to exert efforts in building an independent, Pluralistic, and robust Media Presence in South Sudan while advancing the gender agenda.

First published on March 26, 2024

Ochaya(L) and other delgates posing for a photo

National Press Club-South Sudan participates in a seminar on Enhancing Access to Information and Elections Reporting

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Juba, March 20, 2024 – The National Press Club-South Sudan (NPC-SS) joined other partners in a two-day seminar on access to information and elections reporting on the 19, and 20 March 2024

Structured by JICA; UNESCO, and the Information Commission, the event aimed to consolidate efforts for creating a conducive environment for free, fair, and democratic elections. Centered on enhancing the relationship between the National Elections Commission (NEC) and Journalists for a credible and timely flow of information, it also sought to reinforce the capacity of the NEC by drawing extensive experiences from the Institute of Japanese Elections System and Administration.
Under the themes: “Enhancing access to Information and Elections reporting” for the first and second days, the seminar expounded more broadly on the purpose; of clarifying the challenges that are hampering the access to essential information needed for a democratic state, to develop a common understanding concerning how to improve the situations and what to be done by each stakeholder, to share experiences of elections reporting and cooperation between NEC and Mass Media in Japan, and to identify, analyze and discuss challenges and possible solutions for the cooperation between NEC and Mass Media in South Sudan.

Present during the seminar were the Ministry of Information, the Media Authority, Information Commission, the National Elections Commission, State High Elections Committees, Journalists, Media organizations, UNESCO and JICA.

NPC-SS concludes Two-Day T.O.T to Promote Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists

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BOR, Jongolei State; February 16, 2024 – The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) completed a two-day Training of Trainers (T.O.T.) on freedom of expression, access to information and safety of journalists for law enforcement agencies in Jongole state to equip them with the necessary knowledge to uphold freedom of expression, improve communication with the media, and ensure the safety of journalists.

The event brought together key stakeholders to address concerns regarding clashes between journalists and security forces during their work. Notable figures from the Jongolei state government delivered remarks during the closing session, emphasizing the impact of the workshop on state development
Maj. Gen Elia Kosta, the Commissioner for Police, commended UNESCO and NPC-SS for conducting the crucial training in Jongolei state. He expressed optimism for improved relations between journalists and security forces, stating, “I hope that there is going to be a change between us and the media so that we can work together.” Highlighting the value of additional knowledge and expertise gained from the workshop, Maj. Gen Kosta encouraged the police officers to implement the additional knowledge acquired from the training.
Deng Goi, Director of the Ministry of Peace Building, Jongolei state commended the selection of participants and urged that future trainings should consider gender balance. Goi also reinforced that the trainees should apply their newfound knowledge, “As you are going out from here, go and implement what you have learned,” he said. furthermore, he expressed the need for journalists to be well-informed about media laws and ethics while calling for trust between journalists and security officers in the state.
On his part, Mohammed Chuol, Director General of the Ministry of Information in Jongolei state stressed the significance of implementing the training, and called for increased capacity-building efforts for journalists and police, particularly in ethical reporting. He proposed collaborative efforts between journalists and security personnel to share information and build trust. The Director General suggested that cases involving journalists should be reported to the ministry before any arrests can be made, saying it allow clarification and discussion.
The TOT training, facilitated by experienced media veterans including Nicola Mandil and Oliver Modi Philip, covered various pertinent topics such as international legal frameworks, fostering freedom of expression, and effective communication between journalists and the police.

The collaborative initiative between NPC-SS, law enforcement agencies, and UNESCO aims to enhance professionalism and strengthen the relationship between the media and the police in South Sudan.

T.O.T Participants pose for group photo

Listeners Club beat Radio Presenters in a friendly football match.

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Wau, February 14, 2024 – NPC South Sudan with support from USAID through the IREX SIMA project held a friendly match between the Radio Presenters Club and the Radio Listeners Club on 13, February 2024, in Wau as part of the World Radio Day celebration.
The match which ended 3:0 in favor of the Radio listener’s club was played at SALAM football ground, Wau. It was aimed at bolstering the relationship between the Radio listeners (Wau community) and the Radio presenters and managers.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, NPC-SS Executive Director, Mr. Ochaya James said the football match was organized to promote social cohesion between Radio presenters and Radio listeners in Wau.
James expressed sincere thanks to the community of Wau for their support to the Radio and journalists in Western Bahr-el Gazal saying, that without their contribution, the Radio and journalists would mean nothing.
He urged the journalists and listeners to use the opportunity of World Radio Day as an avenue for renewing their commitment to always educate, entertain, and inform the citizens with accurate, reliable, and credible information to maintain trust.
The Executive Director also extended warm thanks to USAID and IREX for the financial support and for choosing NPC-SS as a trusted implementing partner for the SIMA project. “I also want to thank our partners USAID and IREX for having supported our ideas that led to the success of this activity; without them, this activity would not be possible.”
Mr. James reaffirmed NPC-SS’s commitment to continue supporting the media development agenda in South Sudan and pledged to work with different stakeholders to achieve the vision of creating a conducive working environment for media personnel and journalists in South Sudan.
Sports remain the most powerful tool with the potential to create and sustain peaceful relationships; NPC-SS has used sports on different occasions and times to create social cohesion between different entities, and it remains an invaluable tool to enhance peaceful coexistence.

Celebrating the Power of Radio: NPC-SS Supports UNESCO in Commemoration of World Radio Day in Bor

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Bor, Jongolei State, February 13, 2024 – the National Press Club-South Sudan (NPC-SS) joined hands with UNESCO to commemorate World Radio Day at the Park Palace Hotel in Bor, Jongolei State. The event brought together media professionals, government representatives, and experts in the field to discuss the challenges and potential of radio in South Sudan.

 

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Poverty Alfred, the representative of the National Press Club-South Sudan, underscored the significant impact of radio in the country’s history. He called for dialogue and open discussions to address the issues between journalists and security forces.

Alfred emphasized that fostering a good relationship between journalists and the security forces would lead to the development of the media industry, improve the quality and accuracy of information, and ultimately contribute to the overall development of South Sudan. He reiterated that journalists are not enemies but messengers whose role is to disseminate information to the public.
Ms. Doreen Loboka, the senior communication officer for UNESCO, urged the government to create an enabling civic space for people to freely express their opinions, especially as the country was heading towards general elections. She emphasized the effective use of radio by the government to communicate its expectations to the people.
Loboka emphasized the importance of embracing both government and private media, as they both play vital roles in building a democratic government.
Maj. Gen Elias Kosta, the spokesperson for the Jongolei State Police, acknowledged the potential for misunderstandings between the media and the police due to inaccurate information. He called for mutual understanding and highlighted the need to recognize the contributions of police officers working in media organizations.
Kosta urged media organizations to consider awarding police officers who are involved in journalistic work and to focus on highlighting the positive aspects of the police’s work to educate the public.
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National Press Club Celebrates World Radio Day in Wau

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Wau: February 13, 2024 – The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) in South Sudan joined the global community in celebrating World Radio Day. The event, organized by the National Press Club with support from USAID funding through IREX, took place at the Rose Hotel in Wau, Western Bhar El Gazal state.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. David John, the Director General of the Ministry, commended the NPC and IREX for their unwavering support to the people of Western Bhar-el-Gazal State, particularly in Wau. He expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by NPC-SS and IREX in organizing this significant activity for the fourth time in Wau.
Mr. David emphasized that the State Government alone cannot adequately support journalists and media workers in Western Bhar-el-Gazal. However, with the assistance of partners like NPC-SS, through their donor USAID, and IREX, he expressed optimism for progress in the media environment.
He urged journalists to adhere to ethical standards and principles, providing citizens with reliable and accurate information, especially as the country approaches crucial periods of elections and constitution-making processes.
Mrs. Delphina Roba, the Deputy Chairperson of NPC-SS, explained that World Radio Day (WRD) was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2011 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. The chosen date, February 13, commemorates the creation of United Nations Radio in 1946.
“As we celebrate a century of radio informing, entertaining, and educating, it is an opportunity to recognize the extensive virtues and ongoing power of this medium,” Mrs. Roba stated. She noted that radio is statistically popular and highly trusted by the public, but faces challenges from digital platforms, social media, generational divides, censorship, and economic hardships.
Meanwhile, Mr. James Deng Dimo, the NPC-SS coordinator in Western Bhar-El-Gazal, expressed gratitude to the NPC-SS Juba office for selecting Wau as the location for celebrating World Radio Day. He emphasized the importance of radio in creating awareness, informing citizens about current affairs, and promoting peaceful coexistence and reconciliation in society.

NPC-SS Hosts Friendly Football Match to Commemorate International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

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Aweil, November 2, 2023 – The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS), in collaboration with UNESCO, organized a friendly football match between Northern Bhar-el Ghazal Police FC and Aweil Media FC to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity (IDEI) for Crimes against Journalists.

 

The match, held on November 2, 2023, at Aweil Freedom Square, concluded with a 1-0 victory for Northern Bhar-el Ghazal Police FC.

 

 

The event brought together representatives from the State government ministries and stakeholders, including UNESCO, Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Aweil.

 

 

The primary objective of the match was to foster solidarity and create an enabling environment between the two institutions. It followed a two-day training on Freedom of Expression, Access to Information, and Safety of Journalists conducted for the Northern Bhar-el Ghazal Police from October 31 to November 1, 2023.

 

 

During the closing ceremony of the friendly match, Mr. Oliver Modi Philip, the lead facilitator of the training and Managing Director of Equator Broadcasting Cooperation, expressed his gratitude to both teams for showcasing their talent and fostering a sense of togetherness through football.

 

 

Mr. Oliver commended the National Press Club for their continuous efforts in creating an enabling environment for media workers in South Sudan and promoting unity and understanding among various stakeholders to ensure media freedom and access to information as public goods. He added, “This initiative, which NPC-SS initiated last year during World Press Freedom Day in Wau and continued today, exemplifies a sense of nationalism and patriotic solidarity.”

 

 

NPC-SS, with support from UNESCO, previously used a similar approach during the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) in 2022. On that occasion, a friendly match was held between the National Security Team and Wau Media Star in Western Bhar-el Ghazal.

 

NPC-SS Conducts Successful Training Workshop to Promote Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety

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AWEIL, November 1, 2023 – The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) has successfully concluded a two-day Training of Trainers (T.O.T.) workshop in Aweil, aimed at equipping law enforcement agencies with essential knowledge to promote freedom of expression, enhance communication with the media, and ensure the safety of journalists.

 

Supported by UNESCO, the workshop brought together key stakeholders to address the growing concerns regarding clashes between journalists and security forces.

 

 

The event commenced with an opening session where notable figures delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the workshop’s objectives, which aim to foster a positive working relationship between security officers and journalists.

 

 

The guest of honor, Commissioner of Police for Northern Bhar-el Ghazal Maj. Gen. Philip Madut Tong, thanked NPC-SS and UNESCO for taking the initiative to train police officers in Aweil. Recognizing the complementary roles of journalists and the police in society, Maj. Gen. Philip Madut emphasized the importance of facilitating journalists’ access to information, particularly during the upcoming election period.

 

 

Doreen Loboka, the Information and Communication specialist of UNESCO, emphasized that freedom of expression and access to information are fundamental human rights and constitutional rights for every citizen, as prescribed in the interim constitution of South Sudan. She highlighted the role of the police in guaranteeing freedom of expression and stated that UNESCO closely collaborates with law enforcement agencies to create an enabling environment for the exercise of this fundamental right.

 

 

The workshop addressed three key responsibilities of the police. Firstly, it emphasized the duty of the police to protect journalists from arbitrary arrests and harassment with impunity. Secondly, it highlighted the importance of building trust and fostering a collaborative relationship between the security forces and journalists.

 

Ms. Doreen Loboka further stressed that freedom of expression is a crucial element for fostering development and promoting democratic governance in South Sudan.

 

Mr. Ochaya James, the Executive Director of NPC-SS, outlined the organization’s role in developing the media landscape in South Sudan. He emphasized the primary objective of the workshop, which was to empower trainers to deliver comprehensive courses on these critical topics at both national and state levels.

 

The workshop also sought to improve the curricula of law enforcement training institutes by incorporating new modules or courses.

 

 

Mr. Ochaya urged participants to utilize the knowledge gained to build a holistic relationship between the police and journalists, encouraging the police to intervene if a journalist is mistreated by any of the organized forces.

 

 

The collaborative efforts between the National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS), law enforcement agencies, and UNESCO aim to enhance professionalism and strengthen the relationship between the media and the police in South Sudan. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to foster an environment that upholds freedom of expression and ensures the safety of journalist

 

NPC-SS donates Sports uniforms to Journalists and Police in Aweil ahead of friendly match

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Aweil, November 1, 2023 – The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS), in collaboration with UNESCO, is pleased to announce the donation of two kits of branded sports uniform to the Northern Bhar-el Ghazal Police FC and Aweil Media FC.
This donation is part of the International Day to End Impunity program in Aweil and aims to promote solidarity and create an enabling environment between the two institutions.
The handover ceremony took place today in the presence of various dignitaries, including Mrs. Bakitha Lado, the UNESCO representative, and Mr. Barnabas Aguer, the Director General for the State Ministry of Information, and representatives from the government and media houses.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ochaya James, the Executive Director of the National Press Club South Sudan, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to support this initiative.
He highlighted that this is not the first time NPC-SS and UNESCO have collaborated on such activities, citing a similar donation during the 2022 World Press Freedom Day. On that occasion, NPC-SS and UNESCO donated sets of uniforms to the National Security Team and Wau Media Star in Western Bhar-el Ghazal.
Mr. Ochaya emphasized the unifying power of sports and its ability to promote peace and strengthen relationships within society.
He reaffirmed NPC’s commitment to organizing friendly matches as part of their vision to create a conducive environment for media workers in South Sudan.
The friendly match between the Northern Bhar-el Ghazal Police FC and Aweil Media FC is scheduled to take place on November 2, 2023.
NPC-SS and UNESCO look forward to witnessing this event, which serves as a testament to the strong bond between journalists and the police force. The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) is a non-profit and nongovernmental organization dedicated to promoting press freedom and supporting media workers in South Sudan.