South Sudan soldiers patrolling streets of Juba. | File Photo|.
By Golden Times Reporter
Renewed attacks on journalists continue with the latest incident involving Eye Radio’s broadcast journalist, who was assaulted by Juba City Council (JCC) security personnel while covering an inspection exercise in Juba today (22 July 2024).
Management of Eye Radio reported an assault on one of its reporters (name withheld) while covering an official inspection of AK Company in Juba Na Bari, where Eye Radio was invited to cover.
“The reporter was detained on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 12:37 pm and subjected to interrogation by the head of the inspection committee. He was then released at 2:44 pm after being coerced to sign a letter of consent, prohibiting him from publishing a story related to the inspection visit and his detention,” Eye reported.
Abuses against journalists shrinking further the media space, press freedom, and access to information, whereby, the Reporters without Borders describes the media freedom in South Sudan as extremely precarious.
In a statement obtained, the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) condemned the harassment of Eye Radio’s reporter and expressed concerns about the continued attacks on journalists by security personnel in the country.
“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), a human rights organization, has strongly condemned the harassment of a journalist from Eye Radio, as stated in a press release issued today.”
“CPA also expressed concern about the ongoing attacks on journalists who are simply carrying out their important work in the country. As an organization that documents human rights violations, monitors and reports in the country, we are disturbed by such unpleasant behaviors toward journalists,” it stated.
Journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel have the right to protection from all human rights violations and abuses, including killing, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest and detention, expulsion, intimidation, harassment, threats, and acts of other forms of violence.
While State actors commit most attacks on journalists, non-state actors should fully investigate any human rights violation or abuse against them.
CPA alerted the government institutions particularly Juba City Council to adhere to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) 258 adopted recommendations on the protection and fulfilment of several human rights in South Sudan.
“In light of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which has made 258 recommendations for South Sudan, the CPA is reminding government institutions, particularly the Juba City Council Security Personnel, of the need to work towards implementing and improving upon these recommendations,” reads the statement.
In May this year, the Parliament’s Spokesperson, Oliver Mori Benjamin warned journalists against reporting the critical views of the opposition lawmakers who were criticizing the head of state and his ruling party (SPLM) for using public funds to finance his craving for the party’s flagship beacon at the expense of hungry civil servants who worked for almost a year without salary.
