AIM organization sets up office in Rumbek for local reporters
By Manyang Mayom
August 9, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Agency for Independent Media (AIM) has established an office of Human Right Network Center (HRNC) in the Lakes state capital, Rumbek, on Sunday.
The head of the Center, Deng Machak Manyuon, was selected as chairman in a workshop conducted while Veronica Ajok Angok became the deputy.
The three-day workshop organized by the Agency for Independent Media brought together journalists in Lakes state, among them reporters from the government-owned Rumbek 98FM and Church-owned Good News Radio 89FM.
However, over 30 people were participants coming from two Radio stations of Church Catholic owned Radio Good News and Government owned Radio FM98; all participants finally received their participation certificates on Sunday at evening dinner ceremony.
The Chief Executive of IAM, David Dau told Good news Radio that the network body will enhance coordination of media activities between Lakes State and the Agency for Independent Media (AIM) based in Juba. This network, will offer training opportunities for journalists from Lakes state, including further studies abroad.
Hassan Kulundu, one of the facilitators at the workshop, affirmed that the workshop covered three main topics, namely, the meaning of journalism, the fact of conflict in its domestic, regional and international form, and how to report conflicts described as “conflict sensitive reporting – the aim of this journalists training is to transformed them into peace and developmental reporting phases.
“Yes, as Southern Sudan prepares for the upcoming Referendum scheduled for January 2011, professionalism will be required among journalists working in various media houses and South Sudan media seems weak due to lack of skills in journalism ethics and SPLM party always apply censorship to those whom they employed as well as independent journalists…,” he said.
State minister of Information and Communication, Dau Marik Nanga, affirmed that “strengthening the media is very important in Lakes state.” He also noted that the media helps in making the image of the government shine and sometimes media can destroy government image. He added that Lakes state faces many incidences of conflict and journalists need skills to report these cases professionally.
Speaking by phone, newly selected Manyuon said that he will work hard to overcome cases against human right in Lakes state. “I will work hard to bring a solution for media injustices done in Lakes state, and my cooperation with state government will be so high in all kinds so that I can bring good image for my government,” he said.
(ST)