T.O.T Training for police officers on freedom of expression, access to information and safety of Journalists

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JUBA, September 26, 2023 – The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) successfully conducted a two-day Training of Trainers (T.O.T.) workshop in Juba with the aim of equipping law enforcement agencies with essential knowledge to promote freedom of expression, enhance communication with the media, and ensure the safety of journalists.

The workshop, supported by UNESCO, brought together key stakeholders to address the growing concerns surrounding clashes between journalists and security forces. During the opening session, several notable figures delivered remarks that shed light on the significance of the workshop, which aims to foster good working relationship between the security officers and the journalists.
The Commissioner of the Access to Information Commission, Hon. Moyiga Nduru Korokoto, who was the Guest of Honor, emphasised the complementary roles of journalists and police in society. He acknowledged that both professions seek the truth, educate, and guide society, despite occasional mistakes they make while pursuing their respective duties. He underscored the importance of the police facilitating journalists’ access to information, especially during the upcoming election period.
NPC-SS Chairperson, Bullen Kenyi Yatta, expressed gratitude to the organizers and the fundraisers, UNESCO and NPA, recognizing the workshop’s relevance in the South Sudanese context.
He stressed that the safety of journalists and freedom of expression had become global concerns as conflicts between journalists and security forces often arise.
He emphasized the need for law enforcers and journalists to understand their respective roles and responsibilities, citing the lack of accountability for the actions of the perpetrators.
Julius Banda, the Country Director of UNESCO, drew attention of the participants to the presence of freedom of expression in the interim constitution of South Sudan. He emphasized the role of the police in guaranteeing freedom of expression, stating that UNESCO works closely with law enforcement agencies to create an enabling environment for the exercise of this fundamental right.
The workshop also 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.
The Country Director of UNESCO, Mr. Julius Banda, emphasized that freedom of expression was crucial for development, citing the need to promote democratic governance in South Sudan.
Juma Peter, the representative of AMDISS, outlined the organization’s role in developing the media landscape in South Sudan. He highlighted the importance of an independent media in reducing overreliance on the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), particularly in the upcoming elections.
Mr. Peter emphasized the need for a holistic relationship between the police and journalists, urging the police to intervene if a journalist was mistreated by any of the organized forces. He acknowledged the valuable advice provided by NPC-SS on handling cases involving arrested colleagues.
Isaac Ladia, the representative of the UNMISS human rights division, emphasized the fundamental rights necessary for human dignity, such as food, medication, and shelter. He underscored the essential role of freedom of speech in promoting accountability and driving positive change.
The UNMISS representative, Isaac Ladia, quoted Coffi Annan, as saying, “We cannot build peace without alleviating poverty. We cannot build freedom on the foundation of impunity.”
He highlighted the influential role of the media, as their reports initiate discussions at higher levels and bring about necessary improvements.
Brig, James Dak, Deputy Police Spokesperson, described the media as the fourth arm of the government, acting as a check and balance to the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
He assured that no journalist was currently behind bars and noted that the president had amended the law to prevent national security arrests without a warrant.
Brig. James Dak emphasised the need for a strong bond between the police and the media, urging journalists to exercise discretion when handling confidential information.
Mr. Ochaya James, the Executive Director of NPC, highlighted the primary objective of the workshop, which was to empower trainers to deliver comprehensive courses on these critical topics at a national level.
The workshop also sought to improve the curricula of law enforcement training institutes by incorporating new modules or courses. Mr. James emphasised the importance of developing a ‘Training of Trainers’ program for current and future law enforcement officers.
The collaborative effort between the National Press Club South Sudan, law enforcement agencies, and UNESCO aims to enhance professionalism and strengthen the relationship between the media and the police in South Sudan, ultimately fostering an environment that upholds freedom of expression and ensures the safety of journalists.

NPC conducts media reflection Meeting

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JUBA, August 16, 2023- The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) organized a half-day reflection meeting in Juba to reflect on ways to support the activities of journalists’ peer network and media inclusion and sustainability approaches in the country.
The reflection meeting was supported by the IREX through the Sustainable Independent Media Activity (SIMA) project.
Speaking during the opening Mr. Bullen Kenyi Yatta, chairperson of the Board of Directors, said the purpose of the meeting was to enable media actors to come up with recommendations and resolutions to address some challenges encountered during the implementation period.
He disclosed that the meeting was also meant to provide an avenue for interactive discussion among the media actors as well as explore ways to close the gaps in terms and forge out areas of collaboration and joint partnership among the media support organization in a spirit of building synergies and collaboration.
“The half-day event was organized in collaboration with UJOSS to discuss how the efforts of the Journalist Peer Network are shaping up. Under the theme: Troubleshooting challenges and exchanging best practices and lessons learned in strengthening media actors’ peer network in South Sudan,” the Executive Director of NPC-SS Mr. Ochaya James says.
The meeting brought in members from FJN, AMWISS, and AMDISS representatives. The meeting also provided an avenue for troubleshooting challenges and exchanging best practices learned during the implementation period of the SIMA Projects by both NPC and UJOSS.
On the same note, Mr. Tapeng Michael who spoke on behalf of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan applauded NPC leadership for initiating the program for SIMA partners to share experiences and lessons learned during SIMA project implementation.
“We have come to evaluate the activities we implemented together. It is an opportunity for us to tell the challenges to the partners. It is important because we as UJOSS are happy to collaborate with our partners,” says Tapeng.
On his part, the IREX representative Mr. Wani Isaac Kenyi says NPC-SS as one of the implementing partners has been doing tremendous media activities under SIMA projects. And this meeting also provided a platform for NPC to come up with an avenue to promote check and balance, what has gone well and wrong for future improvement.
“I am looking forward to listening to the challenges faced by implementing partners. As you know, we are coming to the end of our financial year, it is important to see what has been done so that we be able to plan for the next year,” Isaac stated.
Mr. Isaac reiterated the commitment of IREX to working with its partners which include NPC, UJOSS, AMDISS, FJN, and AMWISS among others to achieve the objectives of SIMA projects in South Sudan.
“I am looking forward to the contributions including questions to all of us so that if the system of implementation has not been good, we might perhaps change to an appropriate system,” he concluded.

NPC-SS hosts experience sharing event for Media Actors & Practicing Journalists in Juba

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JUBA, August 14, 2023- The National Press Club-South Sudan (NPC-SS) organized a one-day experience-sharing event for Media Actors & Practicing Journalists in Juba on Monday with the support of the IREX SIMA project.

Hon. Moyiga Nduru, the Commissioner for the Access to Information Commission in the Republic of South Sudan, graced the event, where he started by thanking the NPC-SS and the University of Juba for organizing the events, saying that it was the first of its kind, bringing students from different universities together to learn from practicing journalists.

 

The experience-sharing event brought together 49 participants, including student journalists from the university and journalists from priority areas, including representatives of civil society, in order to promote freedom of expression, information access, and the safety of journalists in Juba.

 

In the panel discussion, the key speakers emphasized editorial, media management, broadcasting, reporting, news content development, and interviewing practices and lessons learned.

Adija Acuil, a cartoonist, spoke about the importance of the arts in fostering freedom of expression and how the media may use them to increase access to essential information.

On his part, Sani Martin, a journalist with Radio Miraya, talks about reporting peace talks and the fundamentals of Peace Journalism Reporting Principles.

Maya Nimaya Mawa, Director of Advance Youth Radio, spoke about his background in news production, writing skills, managing a media entity, and gender and social inclusion considerations.

The event offered learnings and best practices from veterans and practicing journalists on how to enhance the quality of reporting by journalists and broadcasters, including other essential aspects of sustainability for independent commercial and community radio operations.

Additionally, it is anticipated that the event would give seasoned journalists who have quit their jobs a forum to share their knowledge with aspiring journalists.

 

NPC-SS donates a new motorbike to stolen Classic FM journalist Logonyi Denis Wani

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Juba, 19th July, 2023- The National Press Club-South Sudan (NPC-SS) awarded a new motorbike to Mr. Logonyi Denis Wani, a Classic FM journalist whose motorbike was stolen earlier this month while covering a story in the field.

 

On July 4, 2023, we learned that Mr. Logonyi’s motorbike had been stolen as he was covering a story in Nagasogola church. The news of his stolen bike sparked sympathy among journalists and media organisations.

 

“NPC, please take or ignore this suggestion: we have all read the story of our colleague Longonyi, who lost his motorbike during the scuffle in customs yesterday. How about you make an appeal to some NGOs like CEPO or UN to get a motorcycle for him since there’s a strong justification that he was in the field for coverage? Warning: it’s just a suggestion”, Ajith, the Director of the Catholic Radio Network, wrote in a message to the NPC-WhatsApp group on July 5, 2023.

 

Ochaya James Philip, National Press Club, South Sudan (NPC-SS), handed over the donation to the Journalist at the NPC-SS office in the presence of Mary Ajith, the director of the Catholic Radio Network, who came up with the suggestion to stand in solidarity with Mr. Logonyi. 

 

“On behalf of the NPC-SS, I am very excited to welcome you at the NPC-SS office to witness the handover ceremony for the new motorcycle, the Bajaj Boxer, to our Media colleague, Mr. Logonyi Denis Wani, whose motorbike got stolen while on duty”, said Ochaya during the handover ceremony on Wednesday.

 

Ochaya said it is high time for the media sector to come together and provide a conducive working environment for the media, especially in the coming period of elections.

 

 

“This is a solidarity stand with our journalists to ease his work process and encourage them to do the work. As the Press Club, we believe the aspect of mobility is a priority for our journalists to be able to go and bring information to the public”, he added.

In 2021, the NPC-SS was able to settle the case of one of the journalists who was imprisoned for reasons unrelated to his journalistic activity, but the NPC-SS felt it was vital to stand in solidarity with him.

 

On her part, Mary Ajith, the Director of the Catholic Radio Network, said she is glad to be at the NPC office for the first time, and for a good reason. She said that when talking about the safety and protection of journalists, it is not only the journalist in person, but also their belongings and the garget they use in the field.

 

“When Denis lost his bike, I felt bad for him because it can cause trauma because he doesn’t have a bike to reach where he used to reach for news coverage. It is high time that, as media institutions, we take the issue of protection of journalists beyond their personal protection and safety of journalist but also to the garget they use”, Mary said.

 

She pointed out that it is our collective responsibility as media colleagues to support and stand with one another. She urged journalists and media organisations to work together to show solidarity.

 Mr. Logonyi Denis Wani, thank NPC-SS and the Director of the Catholic Radio Network for their solidarity support.

“Today is an important day, a day that a journalist can call our day. A bike looks like a small thing to some people, but to me personally, I know what it means because it helps me move far distances, like for a press conference.

“Thank you, NPC-SS, for all the processes that you have taken to make sure that this bike is finally here. I am forever grateful and would like to thank NPC from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

He stated that when his bike was taken, and he wrote about it on his social media page, he received a lot of sympathy from his colleagues. He believes that the bike has benefited seven people out of 10. Whether he goes out to the field, he always transports a colleague who does not have a means of transportation back to the office.

 

NPC-SS trains journalists’ peer group in Wau

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WAU 12, July 2023 – The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS), with support from IREX through USAID conducted a peer media training today for 20 new journalists and members of the civil society in the Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s capital, Wau.
The journalists are brought from the two counties of Western Bahr el Ghazal State such as Wau municipality, Jur River, and Wau County.
The training focuses on understanding the international and South Sudan legal frameworks for promoting freedom of expression and the media.
The journalists learned about specific articles in the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 as amended that support the freedom of expression; and also, the three Acts the Media Authority Act, the Right of Access to Information Act, the Broadcasting Cooperation Act, and what international law says about media and press freedom. Why is it important to the work of the media?
The training also covers many aspects, including South Sudan’s code of conduct, the ethics of journalism, and the role of stakeholders in promoting freedom of expression and access to information in South Sudan, which of course include citizens, civil society, and the government.
On the second day of the training tomorrow, Thursday, the season will highlight the role of women, youth, and other minority groups in participation in the constitution-making and election processes and share lessons learned from neighboring countries, ranging from Kenya and Uganda.
Speaking during the opening remark, Western Bahr el Ghazal State Director General of the Ministry of Information, David Jongo welcomed the initiative of the National Press Club South Sudan to extend its training packages to Wau to enhance the skills of journalists.
“NPC came to this state twice to train us here, and it has come back again; this is very good. If we clap our hands for you, the NPC-SS, it will not be enough, but let’s say, may God help you more to help our journalists,” said Jongo.
Jongo also called on the journalists attending the training to acquire more knowledge on how they can carry out their duties, especially in covering the upcoming general elections.
“Ahead of us are elections, and this is a great chance that the NPC-SS has come to train you and get you ready for the upcoming elections. Journalists have a great role to play in the community; journalists are the correct people to give accurate information to the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bullen Kenyi Yatta, the NPC-SS chairperson of the board of directors, said the training conducted by the National Press Club aims to shape the professionalism of the journalists so they can conduct their duties professionally.
“The vision of the National Press Club is to see that journalists like you should actually exercise their profession in a safe environment, you should exercise your profession fully even when you are threatened,” said Yatta.
“We cannot talk of democracy unless we see the journalists operating freely; all these workshops aim at building you up so that we can meaningfully exercise democracy in this country,” he said.
On his part, National Press Club Executive Director Ochaya James said the focus and key mandate of the National Press Club are to ensure that journalists operate freely without interference and to build up strong networks of journalists who can stand for each other in good and difficult times.
“Our focus and key mandate is to see that we promote a conducive working environment for the media operation in South Sudan through different ways, which include advocacy, information sharing, and training, and this is one of the key objectives of our capacity building: we want to see that we empower our journalists and encourage them to set up strong networks to help them share their challenges and get assistance where necessary,” said Ochaya.
One of the attending journalists who spoke during the training, Pasquale Aleu said the training will morally shape their future by providing them with guarding principles and the skill of reporting.
“The importance of this workshop is that it is really going to shape the future of journalists in the selected counties. Like now, ahead of us, there will be preparation for the permanent constitution-making process, and there are also elections coming up,” said Aleu.
“The training is also preparing us to do fact-checking before we produce any news to the public because the public believes in media, and they trust media, and if we do not provide the correct and facts information, this means we are confusing our population,” he said

National Press Club trains journalists to report on climate change

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Chairperson of the Board of NPC-SS Bullen Kenyi Yatta

Bor, Jonglei State| January 18, 2023:The National Press Club-South Sudan (NPC-SS) with funding from UNESCO conducts a three-day training workshop on Crisis and Disaster Response and Management at Park Palace Hotel in Bor town, Jonglei State.

 

The training workshop brought together twenty journalists (15 male and 5 female) working for Radio Jonglei 95.9 FM, The Voice of Reconciliation 98.4 FM, and freelancers corresponding from Jonglei State.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Chairperson of the Board of NPC-SS Bullen Kenyi Yatta describes the media as a weapon for development and social change. “When it [media] is used well, we shall realize a better change and development in our society,” Bullen said.

“Climate change is a global crisis not only in South Sudan. We in Africa are suffering the most, and this necessitates the training of journalists to report on climate change. You should be called climate change journalists because you will be reporting on the impact of climate change in South Sudan. Your job will be to keep our communities informed and receive credible information. You’re not only journalists for Jonglei State, but you are working for the whole of South Sudan,” he emphasized.

Speaking on his part, the Chairperson of Jonglei State Relieve and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) Mr. Mading Agueth Deng says climate change affects livestock and people. “It is not only climate change, the cattle raiding practice is a common phenomenon that journalists have to report about and create more awareness on its impact on our society,” Agueth stressed.

Hon. Agueth appeals to journalists to remain objective and ethical when reporting on climate change and cattle raiding and other negative vices in the state, especially early child marriages in the country.

On his part, the State Minister of Information and Communication Hon. John Samuel Manyuon, who was also the guest of honor at the training workshop, challenged the journalists to not only report on the negative instances happening in the state.

 

“Most journalists only focus on the negative part of what is happening in the state and what the government does and doesn’t, but there is a need to do more beyond the negative. There are positive things that journalists also have to report about,” Samuel said.

 

“The journalists should also be trained in the constitution-making process and other areas to increase their skills. It is through journalism that the government gets information on the needs of our communities to accelerate service delivery,” he added.

 

The minister calls on the NPC-SS to work with UJOSS and AMDISS to continue enhancing the capacity of journalists to help the ministry of information and communication to make crucial information accessible to communities in remote areas.

He further emphasizes that journalists need to be professional and ethical in their work to ensure that the public is able to access credible information.

The training is part of NPC-SS’s endeavors to capacitate journalists to report ethically on crises caused by climate change and other disasters in the country.

Chairperson of the NPC-SS Board of Directors visits Bor town to engage the state authorities to support media freedom and access to information

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Photo-NPC-SS Chairperson Bullen Kenyi was accompanied by Program Coordinator Poverty Alfred and Delphina Roba, the head of the Department of the School of Journalism, Media and Communication Studies, University of Juba

 

Bor, Jonglei State, 17 January 2023.

NPC-SS Chairperson Bullen Kenyi Yatta held fruitful talks with the State Minister of Information, Hon. John Samuel Manyuon, in Bor town, Jonglei State with support from UNESCO.
The meeting centered on engaging the state government to support press freedom, access to information, and creating an enabling media environment in the state.
Minister John Samuel appreciated the NPC-SS delegation, accompanied by the representative of the University of Juba Delphina Roba, for paying him a courtesy visit to discuss media issues in the state.
Minister Samuel commended NPC-SS for endeavoring to build the capacity of journalists in Jonglei State to disseminate accurate information on disasters to the masses in the state and beyond.
He said his ministry has a lot of challenges in the capacity building of press secretaries to communicate accurate information to the media about the activities of the government.
On his side, Bullen Kenyi affirmed the NPC-SS’s readiness to incapacitate journalists and press secretaries in the state to help the public to access information from diverse government institutions.
Bullen Kenyi disclosed that NPC-SS would on Wednesday 18 January conduct a training workshop for journalists and media organizations on crisis and disaster response and management.
Jonglei State is among the states devastated by floods, causing waterborne diseases and mass displacement of civil populations from their homes.
NPC-SS Chairperson Bullen Kenyi was accompanied by Program Coordinator Poverty Alfred and Delphina Roba, the head of the Department of the School of Journalism, Media and Communication Studies, University of Juba.

NPC-SS commemorates its second anniversary

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The National Press Club of South Sudan [NPC-SS] will be celebrating its second anniversary on the 14th of December 2022.

Looking back at our performance in the past almost two years, the organization has considerably succeeded in achieving some of its objectives, especially in the area of training.

The NPC-SS conducted a number of capacity-building training workshops, both here in Juba and in the states; Yei, Wau, Yirol, DutPadiet, Kwajok, and in Juba.

 

We want to acknowledge our gratitude to our partners who morally and financially supported these training workshops, thus making the club able to achieve some of its objectives. Here are some of our partners that supported NPC-SS training and other programs:

 

The U.S. Embassy in South Sudan supported the monitoring of the human rights violations; the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day of May 2022; the training of editors and columnists on hate speech, and is now financing a symposium on media and freedom of expression.

 

UNESCO has been supporting most of our training programs, both in Juba and in the states.

The UN organization notably supported the organization of a football match between the NPC-SS and the National Security Service of South Sudan [NSS]. The sport was aimed at creating a good relationship between the journalists and the security personnel. It is worth noting that the creation of a good working relationship with members of the security organs is one of the objectives of the National Press Club of South Sudan. This is done through the organization of awareness conferences and sports.

UNESCO also supported joint activities organized by the NPC-SS and the University of Juba’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication Studies {SJMCS}, after the two signed a memorandum of understanding to work in collaboration with one another.

 

The memorandum has created a good working relationship between SJMCS and NPC-SS. Most of the training workshops had been facilitated by some staff members from the University of Juba, SJMCS, notably Prof. Dr. Chaplain Kara Yokoju, Prof. Dr. Geri Raimondo, Mr. Nichola Mondili from Stafford University, and Mss Delphina Roba, among others.

 

IREX has also supported the club in its training efforts, in areas of psycho-social management, physical safety, and digital security; training that is necessary for our setting in South Sudan, where there is a high number of traumatized people, and safety challenges.

Indeed, our partners have grown in number; these include the Canadian and British embassies in Juba.  We, too, appreciate the participation of the government, at both national and state levels, in our activities. We do not forget the South Sudanese media institutions, AMDISS, UJOSS, FJN, and the media houses in Juba for the good working relationship that we share with them.

 

However, much is still desired considering the bulky needs of training and other needs for our journalists in South Sudan.

South Sudan is a country that has experienced wars for so long and has not had the opportunity to educate its people. It was expected that the next move after signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was to carry out awareness programs simultaneously with the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration [DDR] exercise. This never happened, due to the political unrest and civil war in the country.

 

It is therefore clear that the communities in South Sudan are largely rudimentary; one community still considers the other as an enemy. They do not think in terms of a nation, but on ethnic lines. In this case, they can easily be manipulated by anybody, especially those from their own ethnicity. This explains the chronic intercommunal clashes in South Sudan; in most cases fueled by unscrupulous politicians who want to achieve their personal or group interests in the country.

 

South Sudan’s democracy is still a struggling one. The governance processes appear to be dysfunctional. The country has not been able to deal with vices such as corruption, violence, systematic rape of women and girls, discrimination on ethnic and gender terms, injustice, human rights abuses, and lack of political and civil space.

 

The country has witnessed recurring peace talks with the little achievement of peace for the citizens. The South Sudanese deeply need peace, and peace is only possible when the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people are respected, and they are allowed to participate in the decision-making processes, equitable distribution of resources and benefits, accessibility of justice, and gender equity are guaranteed among the citizens.

 

This calls for the strengthening of the media and the civil society organizations at large to conduct capacity-building, trust-building, and awareness programs through civic education, among the entire citizens of South Sudan, including journalists. NPC-SS believes that all citizens should be involved in the shaping of their own lives in the country.

 

There is a link between democratic governance and human development. Countries can promote human development for all only when they have governance systems that are fully accountable to all people, and when all people can participate in the debates and decisions that shape their lives.

 

Experience has shown that there is no shortcut to development without respecting fundamental human rights; civil society activism, press freedom, and political freedom.

Development and good governance are interlinked.

 

The task for the media and the civil society organizations is huge and requires a helping hand from our partners, and concerted efforts from the internal non-governmental and non-profit-making organizations in the country.  We count on our partners to continue supporting the media and other civil society organizations in order to build a vibrant civil society in South Sudan for the realization of peace in this country.

As we reflect on the anniversary of the NPC-SS, we hope our working relationship with our partners and the media organizations will continue so that we achieve more and more of our objectives in our service to the people of South Sudan.

We hope the year 2023 will be a year of peace and development in South Sudan.

 

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Embassy urges for protection of Journalists

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Juba- At the opening remarks of a one-day media symposium, the Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy in South Sudan, Mr. Moulik Berkana, called on the government to protect and safeguard the work of journalists in the country without any interference during their work.

“I call on the government to deliver protection and support to the journalists in the republic of South Sudan to have the right to express their profession without harassment, arbitrary detention and arrest, journalist play an important role in a democratic society.” Said Berkana.

Since South Sudan become independent in July 2011, security forces have regularly intimidated and unlawfully arrested or detained journalists and this has topics come to an end so that journalists and the media are able to do their job freely to serve the citizens with the required information on diverse issues.

Participants at the event posing during a group photo at the opening session on December 16, 2022, at Landmark hotel in Juba

Nevertheless, the Chairperson of the National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) board of directors, Mr. Bullen Kenyi, applauds partners for their support of the organization and the journalists who turn up for the one-day Symposium.

He said that freedom of expression is not only for the media but for everyone in every country. The president of the union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) Mr. Oyet Patrick said there is an improvement in the cooperation between journalists and security personnel compared to some years back when security personnel could come and arrest journalists.

 

Mr. Patrick assured that now there is no journalist who is in Jail or prison in the country. He further added that there is one journalist who was arrested in Warrap state, Kuajok. When they inquired from the authorities, they were told that the matter was not related to his journalistic work, but the journalist was later released.

At the same event, a police representative, Brig. Hussein David said he is very happy to be invited to the event. He further said the police to reorganize the role of the media in the country when it comes to law and order, the media helps them in addressing a number of crimes.

The guest of honor for the event a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Legislative Council of States, Hon: Paulino Lokudu, Said the National Legislature reorganizes the role of the media because the media is the bridge between the citizens and the government.
He stressed that freedom of expression is a constitutional right and must be respected in the country.

The Media Symposium was organized with the aim of enhancing freedom of expression and access to information and drew more than 50 journalists, media managers, members of the diplomatic corps, and journalism students from the University of Juba
The event was marked under the theme: “Promote Press Freedom and Media Independence to enhance Democracy in South Sudan.

The report was filed by Mr. Kajokare Santos Evans.

 

 

 

NPC-SS, SJMCS Organize capacity building workshop

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A group photo of the participants including facilitators and CSOs, media, and academics after the opening session at Landmark hotel Juba

 

With support from UNESCO, the National Press Club NPC South Sudan in collaboration with the University of Juba has organized a training workshop on Media and Information Literacy that aims to develop the ability of journalists to think critically and analysis any information before dissemination to the public.

The two-day training workshop was held between the 28th-29th of November in Juba Landmark Hotel Juba South Sudan, under the theme: “Nurturing Trust Media and Information Imperative”.

The two-day workshop was officially opened by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Moyiga K. Nduru. The commissioner acknowledged the role of media in the country, especially in civic education. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to build the capacity and strengthen the media institutions, and their legacy. “We should leave no person behind; it is time to think of issues of Media and Information Literacy,” he said. Mr. Nduru said

“Everyone has the right to access to information/knowledge and the right to self-expression. Media and Information Literacy should be for everyone both men & women and is closely related to human rights”, Mr. Julius Banda, the country representative of UNESCO South Sudan, speaking during his opening remarks at a MIL workshop in Juba.

 

Mr. Julius Banda, the country representative of UNESCO South Sudan, giving his speech during a training workshop on Media and Information Literacy

 

 

UNESCO country representative, South Sudan, Mr. Julius Banda, delivered his key remarks during the opening of the training workshop in Juba.” You can be literate, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are Media and Information literate,” said Prof. Chaplain Kara Yokuju, deputy dean of the School of Journalism, Media, and Communication Studies-(SJMCS) of the University of Juba.

The chairperson, of the Board of Directors for the National Press Club of South Sudan, Mr, Bullen Kenyi Yatta, told the participant during his opening remarks to take the training seriously. As Journalists Teachers and members of civil society are all promotors of democracy and democracy is built on respect for Human Rights, justice, and the rule of law, therefore, to defend democracy, you’re to have knowledge and skills in your profession.

The two-day workshop ended colorfully after participating and interacting with the facilitators and CSOs, media, and academics. The workshop brought together at least 44 participants that included fourteen females and thirty males to effectively apply and share the knowledge of Media and Information Literacy in the digital world as required by the system.

 

Prof. Chaplain Kara Yokuju during his presentation

The training was facilitated by senior experts from the University of Juba, School of Journalism and Mass Communication Studies: Prof. Chaplain Kara Yokoju and Lecturers Mrs. Yiene Yienki, Dhieu William, and Delphina Roba.