South Sudan’s media authority says it is finalizing code of conduct for journalists

JUBA – South Sudan’s media authority is finalizing a code of conduct for journalists to help promote high professional standards among the media practitioners, according to the media body’s managing director, Elijah Alier.

The ‘Code of Conduct for Practice of Journalism’ will govern behaviors and practices of journalistic work in the world’ youngest nation.

Mr. Alier told journalists on Tuesday during the closing of a two-day workshop on ‘Ending Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ in Juba that the code of ethics for journalists is in the process of validation.

“What is there now is the validation of the code of conduct that is only a few hours to be finalized, and then we can officially launched it and then this is where we can be able to start accreditation of national journalists,” Alier said.

Alier reassured the media practitioners that they will complete the work by the end of this month to enable national journalists to have their accreditation.

“If you are working in any media house, you are accredited by the national regulatory body and this one will let you be able to cross the borders because you are certified with all what we have agreed who a journalist is in South Sudan,” explained Managing Director

The process of drafting code of conduct started in 2006 by building common ground in media sector.

It was reviewed by media and relevant government institutions and now awaiting validation.