Unity State police chief urges journalists to report harassments after brief detention

BENTIU, OCTOBER 21, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The police commissioner in Unity State is urged journalists to report harassment by security agencies to his office and promised to protect the right to access of information.

Speaking to journalists during a press briefing in Bentiu on Thursday, Maj. Gen. Gordon Machar Yieh expressed his happiness saying it is his first time to meet and brief journalists about the security situation in the floods-affected state.

“I am very happy and it’s my first time to have meeting with journalists in Unity State. Please feel free to cover government events and community events. Journalists and police are friends, and we should work together for the future of this country,” he said.

The top state police officer stressed that journalists have the right to access information under article 32 and 26 of the 2011 South Sudan transitional constitution.

The police chief also disclosed that he met representatives of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) to discuss issues to do with harassment, detention, and arrest of journalists in Unity state by the organized forces.

General Machar further said that his office will ensure journalists are not harassed during coverage of government and community events.

“As we have conducted this wonderful meeting today, please report any harassment, detention and any obstruction during your work,” he added.

The briefing was attended by at least 18 journalists and police officers from the criminal investigation department.