South Sudan must establish media laws, journalist urges
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
Bol, told Sudan Tribune in Juba that operating in northern Sudan is difficult especially when covering the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for alleged genocide and war crimes in Darfur.
He says that the Khartoum government has often attempted to block the work of The Citizen, which was established in 2005.
But he said that there were challenges in the whole of Sudan covering the south’s referendum on independence, with northern politicians advocating unity while in the southern government has openly called for the south to vote for separation.
Bol also said there are not enough professional journalists or independent media houses in Sudan. He said that The Citizen recently needed a bank loan to stay in operation.
He said that The Citizen was transferring itself to the south so they did not become isolated should the south vote for independence.
Bol said in South Sudan there is a different ideology in terms of understanding the role of the media. He said that it was easy to have dialogue but said that in the six years since the north south peace deal media laws have not been established in the south.
He said the lack of a media law, which he says he has been fighting for means that journalists can be arrested at the order of politician.
Bol said, he is now preparing to set up a printing press in Juba that will not only produce newspapers but also print books and examination papers for schools in the south.
(ST)
Diu J.Kuek
South Sudan must establish media laws, journalists urges
Dear journal Mr Nhial Bol
Yes the Government of Southern Sudan must establish media Laws which is the duty of Executive to urges Lagislative to create code of media .
Which is right to freedom of speech and expression should be guaranteed only to the citizen of Southern Sudan as well as the right of freedom of speech and expression has no geographical limitaion this right must be is exercisable In Southern Sudan as well as outside Southern Sudan.
Our Government should know the role of media in the society indicate mass and awareness to know their rights and their duties toward State.
Southern Sudan journalists have right to urges the Government to make the conduct of right to freedom of speech and expression,
Also reasonable and possible restrictions can be impose on the right to freedom of speech and expression if the Government deem to.
a-Security of State
b-Publice order.decency and morality
c-friendly relation with foreign State
d-Contempt of Court of Law
e-Defamation
These following points can be imposed by the Government of Southern Sudan for the Interests of the State.
For the Southern Sudan journalists cool down and be patience let our concentrations to be in South referendum results to our success South Sudan Constitution be amend and laws be codify.
Wish the Southern Sudan for successful Referendum.
may God bless the people of Southern Sudan.
By Diu Jieth Kuek