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AMDISS Denounces the Continued Detention of Female Journalist Diing Magot, Calls for her Immediate Release

Juba-South Sudan, August 12, 2022, Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) is deeply concerned over the continued detention of female journalist Diing Magot, a freelance reporter for the Voice of America in South Sudan.

Diing was arrested on Sunday, August 7th, 2022 near Nyakuron Cultural Centre while she was coming back from covering a peaceful protest at Konyo-Konyo Main Market. She was first taken to Buluk Police Station where she spent a night, later transferred to Melekia Police Station, and finally relocated to Juba Central Prison on Tuesday, August 9th, 2022.

AMDISS has been following the case closely together with other media institutions. However, it is not clear why government authorities continued to detain the journalist. Information from the police indicates that the journalist was not found with any identification (ID) at the time of her arrest. Though later the media house which she works for, wrote a letter certifying that Diing is their correspondent in South Sudan. Other relevant documents including her IDs were also availed to the authorities to prove that she is a journalist.

The continued detention of this journalist after all the above efforts, is a big concern to AMDISS and the entire media fraternity in South Sudan. It has serious repercussions on press freedom and the safety of journalists, especially female journalists as this could force journalists into self-censorship to avoid being arrested and detained.

AMDISS, therefore, calls upon authorities in charge to release Diing Magot immediately. Journalist Diing did not commit any crime. She was only doing her job as a journalist, fulfilling her duty given to her by the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011.

We urge journalists and media houses to continue upholding journalism ethics and the code of conduct of the practice of journalism in the Republic of South Sudan.

For more information on this press release contact the following: Mr. Koang Pal Chang, Chairperson of AMDISS at [email protected] or call +211 922 814 414

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