South Sudan journalists ‘concerned’ over continued removal of articles from daily newspapers

JUBA – The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has said that it is deeply concerned over the continued removal of articles by authorities in the country’s capital Juba from daily newspapers.

“The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) is deeply concerned over the removal of articles written by our members from daily newspapers,” the body said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

The group said the removal of articles violations the country’s laws which provides for public right to access information, something it said has denied the public of crucial information.

“The removal of articles from the newspapers is a violation of the public’s right of access to information and therefore denies the public crucial information which they need to know to make choices in their life,” the statement added.

It also said journalists in Unity State were barred from covering an election of the Youth Union state branch officials which it says does not conform with article 24 and 32 of the transitional constitution as amended.

“Journalists in Bentiu, Unity State, were on Friday blocked from covering elections of the Youth Union State Branch officials. The above practices are not in conformity with Articles 24 and 32 of Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011, as amended,” the statement said.

The group urged “authorities at all levels to observe utmost restraints and allow journalists to freely do their work of informing and educating the public” and also appealed “any offended party to report any grievances to the Media Authority, the institution legally tasked with media regulation.”