Gov’t pledges media landscape enhancement on World Press Freedom Day

JUBA – The government of South Sudan has renewed its commitment to improve the country’s media environment and the safety of journalists during the commemoration of the 32^nd anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, as the country rises on the World Press Freedom Index.

Speaking during the celebration under the theme ‘Reporting in the Brave New World —The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (Al) on Press Freedom and the Media’ at the University of Juba’s Senate Hall on Tuesday, Elijah Alier Kuai, the Managing Director of South Sudan Media Authority, said the regulatory body is committed to creating an enabling environment necessary for successful media operations.

“The Media Authority recognises the crucial role of a vibrant and independent media in South Sudan’s development. We are committed to creating an enabling environment for media to thrive, by promoting freedom of expression, access to information, and media pluralism,” Alier said.

The Managing Director acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the media industry, revealing that about 173 of the total registered media entities have ceased to operate.

“South Sudan’s media landscape faces significant hurdles. Ongoing political instability, poor infrastructure, and low literacy rates create a challenging environment for journalists. Despite these obstacles, the Media Authority has registered 302 media entities, of which 129 are operational, and accredited 138 professional national journalists, including 36 females,” he said.

“These journalists play a vital role in informing the public and promoting dialogue. We acknowledge that economic challenges continue to hamper the growth of the media sector, and we are working to address these challenges through partnerships with media stakeholders and international organisations,” added the Managing Director.

South Sudan has made significant progress in the Global Index Ranking on Press Freedom, rising from 136th place in 2024 to 109th this year, 2025. Alier said this improvement reflects the ongoing efforts to promote media freedom and protect journalists’ rights.

Underscoring the essence of the theme, Mr. Alier urged journalists to stick to ethics amid the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence tools.

“This year’s theme, ‘Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and Media,’ is particularly important as we navigate the complex challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the media landscape, offering new tools for content creation, distribution, and audience engagement,” he said.

“However, it also raises critical questions about journalistic ethics and the potential for bias and manipulation. We must be vigilant in ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically in journalism, upholding the values of truth, fairness, and impartiality,” Alier added.

In an era of rapid technological change, Alier reiterated the importance of ethical media reporting and professionalism, urging Journalists to adhere to the “highest standards of accuracy, objectivity, and fairness.”

Alier advised media houses to verify information before releasing it to the public domain to curb misinformation and ensure a healthy information ecosystem.

“They [journalists] must also be aware of the potential for misinformation and disinformation, and take steps to verify information before publishing it. The Media Authority is committed to promoting ethical journalism through training, education, and the enforcement of professional standards,” he said.

Despite significant improvement in the Global Media Index ranking, South Sudan’s media landscape remains one of the riskiest in the world, with freedom of the press still extremely precarious as journalists work under constant threat, intimidation, and censorship, according to Reporters Without Borders.