South Sudan media regulator urged to embrace independence

JUBA – A South Sudanese activist has called for the Media Authority, the nation’s media regulatory body, to maintain its independence from government interference.

Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ), emphasized the crucial role of an autonomous media authority in fostering a free and independent press.

“The independence of the Media Authority is paramount for the existence of an independent media,” Nasiwa asserted during the Media Stakeholders Forum on Wednesday.

“Without a free media authority, we cannot guarantee that the media in South Sudan will remain independent,” she added.

Nasiwa underscored the South Sudanese constitution’s enshrined right to freedom of expression and the obligation of the state to promote media freedom.

“True independence cannot exist without a free media,” she stressed. “Government interference in the Media Authority’s operations will inevitably trickle down to the work of the media itself.”

Her statement echoes the concerns of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, which recently expressed alarm over the deteriorating state of press freedom in the country.

Commission Chair Yasmin Sooka emphasized the need for a “free civic space” for journalists and activists to operate freely, especially in the lead-up to the elections.

Despite criticizing the UN commission’s report, South Sudan’s information minister and government spokesperson Michael Makuei admitted to engaging in censorship.

However, he defended his actions, claiming they were necessary to prevent conflicts arising from published reports.