National Press Club trains journalists to report on climate change

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.