Juba, 2 November 2023–As people around the globe get together in solidarity with journalists on this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, AMDISS reiterates its call on the transitional government of national unity to launch investigations into the killing of journalists in the country since the outbreak of the civil war in 2013.
On the 4th of October this year, AMDISS commended the government for taking a rightful decision to form a committee to investigate the death of journalist Christopher Allen and appealed to the government to expedite the investigation process as well as investigate the killings of all the other journalists in the country and make the findings publicly to serve justice to the families of the victims.
On this day, AMDISS reminds the government of the need for open civic space, protection of journalists, creation of a safe and conducive environment for the media and its practitioners to cover the upcoming general elections without censorship. This will allow journalists to interact with competing candidates freely, a practice that assures the public the credibility of the general elections.
This year, the media in South Sudan has continued to face harassment, threats, and confiscation of media gadgets among other cases. Meanwhile, the perpetrators of such violence against the media continue to enjoy impunity. As the country prepares for the general elections in 2024, the role of the media is crucial and ensuring accuracy, impartiality, and balanced, and timely coverage of electoral activities.
AMDISS urges journalists and media houses to uphold professionalism when doing their work by telling the absolute truth under all circumstances and treating the sources and subjects with the utmost responsibility to consolidate the public trust and confidence in the media.
AMDISS is an independent member-based media training and advocacy organization in South Sudan formed in 2003 to work towards creating an enabling environment for media freedom through advocacy and dialogue with stakeholders.
For more information on this press release, contact us at [email protected] or call +211922814414
