Need for constructive journalism in South Sudan

By Luke Kuth Dak

July 15, 2007 — Everyone has a pivotal role to play for the survival of the young democracy
in South Sudan. No matter how big or small that role might be. Being a
politician; a general public; a businessman, or a journalist. It’s a role
one must play as his or her contribution to protect that democracy from
falling apart in disarray. In a larger scale, the toughest responsibility
rests on the very shoulders of the Journalists and the media outlets, being
the eyes and ears of the public.

In the past couple of years or so, Southern Sudan media, with hardly any
support, was able to thrive considerably to the level where, if South Sudan
could become an independent entity, today, we can proudly say that we have
more than enough of young guns of talented and quality Journalists, to safe
guard our democracy, from any unwelcome aggression, even though there is
still a tremendous work yet to be done; a long stiff hill to clime; a rocky
path to cross, and a tougher battle to fight, for us to have a sound and
healthy journalism our people who are thirsty for freedom, and starving for
a true democracy, will be proud of.

Evidently, anyone with little or no journalistic experience will notice
instantly, that some of the key elements and essential ingredients critical
as back bone of a an effective journalism, are still missing. And those are:
Credibility, accountability and trustworthiness. Meaning, for some of us who
have had the privilege of association with the Western’s World media,
certainly understand what it comes down to when a Journalist or a news media
outlet doesn’t stick to the strict truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth.Just a couple of years ago, who would have thought, even for a
minute, that a legendary and an icon Journalist, and one of the ” Big Three
‘ of the evening news, Dan Rather could be stripped of a life long career,
for reporting an incredible story on the than candidate George W. Bush.

The media should treat all people with all due respect and dignity they are
entitled to, whether or not you agree or disagree with them. Everyone,
including Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Chairman of the Sudan People
Liberation Movement[SPLM], and President of Government of South Sudan,
deserves to be heard in a Court of Law, and must be given the benefit of the
doubt, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case in the wake of the recent reshuffle in
the Government of South Sudan[GOSS]. It was shocking to have had come
through some really vicious personal attacks and very excessive criticism of
President Mayardit, to the level of craziness and ridiculousness. All, with
out any prior journalistic investigative approach of facts finding as a back
up to their claims. In the same manner, some were screaming out loud for
nothing more than just the fact that, a friend or a relative has been
stripped of his/her position, as though they were meant to be there forever
and ever. The truth of the matter, however, is that some have rushed to
conclusion in just the first two days of the reshuffle. Folks, two days or
even two weeks are not so sufficient to reach a judgment, let alone a
conclusion. The freedom of press should not be used as a weapon to discredit
anyone comes your way, simply because you happened to dislike them or
disagree with them. In a democracy, there’s no such thing as a permanent
position, including that of President Mayardit itself. And that’s the beauty
of it all.

In any event, no one is suggesting that some mistakes may or may not have
been mad. But who among us is exempted from making a mistake. Certainly, I
would have loved for Ustaz. Gabriel Changson Cheng, to continue with reforms
he began in the Ministry of Finance. When Changson was appointed as Acting
Minister of Finance, some people who knew the man, thought that , the
Leadership of Southern Sudan has finally gotten over their hangover of
choosing people base on emotions not reasons.

And as I had written before, our media should pay more and more attention to
crediting our leaders as they do into defaming them.To focus on all that
will ultimately unified our people. I challenge our Journalists that for
every two stories they write about what GOSS has done wrong, that they
include at least one tiny little thing it has done right.

We can’t build a stronger democracy on negativity and bashing of each
others. We can do better.

* Luke Kuth Dak is a former Radio Juba Anchorman, and can be reached at:
[email protected]