NPC-SS Conducts a Workshop for Journalist Peer-to-Peer Network

Supported by USAID through IREX, More than fifteen participants from Civil Society, Journalists, Secondary School students, Persons with disabilities, Women, and Youth participated in the workshop. Mr. Zingbondo J. Emmanuel, Director General of the State Ministry of Information and Communication, expressed gratitude to NPC-SS and IREX for organizing the inclusive event in Yambio. “This training marks a significant milestone, especially with the inclusion of persons with disabilities, Chiefs, and members of civil society,” he remarked, to enhance access to information, it is crucial to bring together such diverse groups, he added.

Mr. Emmanuel reiterated the State Ministry of Information’s commitment to promoting Media Freedom in Western Equatoria. He urged media development partners to continue their support, emphasizing that the State Government alone cannot fully support journalists and media workers in the region.

Addressing journalists, Mr. Emmanuel stressed the importance of ethical standards in delivering reliable and accurate information, particularly as South Sudan prepares for elections and constitution-making processes. He expressed confidence that partnerships with organizations like NPC-SS, with support from USAID and IREX, will foster positive developments in the media landscape.

Mr. Ochaya James, Executive Director of the National Press Club, highlighted that the workshop aimed to empower and create platforms for information dissemination across Western Equatoria and beyond. Acknowledging the collaboration between citizens, state leadership, and media development partners, Mr. James affirmed NPC-SS’s vision for an enabling environment for journalists and media workers.

Flora Gume, the NPC-SS focal person in Yambio, expressed gratitude to NPC-SS, IREX, and USAID for prioritizing journalists and stakeholders in Yambio. She emphasized the workshop’s potential to empower citizens in using media to bolster democracy and access to information.