NPC-SS, SJMCS Organize capacity building workshop

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.