Journalism has become dangerous career – official
By Isaac Vuni
May 4, 2007 (JUBA) — Journalism has increasingly become a dangerous career in a contemporary world where there are mounting threats facing institutions and individuals caring out messages of peace, harmony and protection of human dignity, the Director for training of journalists in southern Sudan ministry of Information and broadcasting, Gwado Ador has said.
He said Sudan has created a regulatory body, the National Press Council through press act of 1999 and it has power to license, monitor and discipline the media. The act requires journalists to observe the rules of play by refraining from publishing any secret information related to national security or the armed forces that has not been officially released.
Presenting paper on press freedom and safety of journalists last evening at Nile Comforth Hotel, Ddor said journalists in Sudan are licensed to practice journalism on the strength of the standard and contents of material they published in order to win registration from the national press council.
Meanwhile Tom Kristiansen, Advisor to Government of southern Sudan (GoSS ) presidency said the ideas of press freedom was formulated in Africa in order to easy free flows of ideas, information and news including constructive criticism as one of the corner stones of democracy.
Presenting a paper on impunity of crimes committed against journalists the last evening, Kristiansen said African countries are internationally known for lack of liberal freedoms and that the category of countries who are seriously violating press freedom are Eritrea and Zimbagwe including the Sudan.
He noted that Uganda and Kenya though have basic freedom of press; their journalists are still facing difficulties in discharging their day to day duties of collecting and disseminating news and information to expectance audience.
He said in all the incidents listed on humiliation, harassment, detention, imprisonment and even killing of journalists are perpetrated by Khartoum government, where journalists are operating in fringes of what is deemed to be acceptable to the state.
Although the government of southern Sudan says freedom of press is essential part of its policy, there have also been harassment, humiliation detention and arrest of local journalists by police and SPLA soldiers who have emerged from 21 years of war, he remarks.
Kristiansen observed that there is difference between the testimonies on infringement of press freedom in northern Sudan where government agents are involved in humiliation, harassment, imprisonment and even killing of journalists. While in southern Sudan, local journalists have been humiliated and detained by policemen and soldiers who do not understand what media practitioners are doing especially in post war situation.
Adding that it is the local journalists who are today facing the greatest risk of becoming victims of violence in their respective countries while the international journalists are often heavily equipped and protected.
He further said freedom of press is an extremely problematic in non democratic system of government in the modern age. Yet they often use their security apparatus to silent the freedom of the press and of expression. Adding that such regimes are now facing growing problems of how to control the internet, the websites and telephones conversations especially in Africa.
Kristiansen noted that government of southern Sudan has many international donors who have come with money, knowledge and expertise to assist in empowering local journalists than a white man coming to own a media house in southern Sudan after the country has emerged from 21 years of war.
The communication advisor to Goss presidency say there is conflict developing in Juba Post Newspaper involving local editors and white men and donors on other side over ownership of Juba Post.
“We donors have come with money and expertise to help local staffs but not to taker over southern Sudan nor to own a newspaper. He adds, “Let local journalists translate their version of communication but not northern European, American, British or Dutch”
He assessed that in three years southern Sudanese would develop both independent media and sustainable press freedom.
According to international reports on victims of press, print media reporters normally face the greatest risk hence 150 journalists were killed on duty last year.70% were murdered, 20% died in crossfire or in combat related circumstances and 10% died during dangerous assignments.
THE MEMBERS OF THE FORTH ESTATE OBSERVATION THAT:
The code of conduct for journalists has not been officially adopted by media practitioners including media houses in southern Sudan.
Most local journalists are not trained therefore lack experience in news coverage and reporting including new technology.
Majority of the Union of journalists of southern Sudan are government officials therefore could not firmly confront or articulate issues, (harassment, detention, denial of access to information among others) abuse of journalists’ rights.
There is lack of networking among journalists and media houses in southern Sudan.
Media houses seem not to have in-house style, if they do its not being adhere to by individuals’ gate keepers.
Most media houses especially government own radio and television stations are using outdated and unprofessional equipments.
The GoSS seems to be embracing censorship on local journalists’ operation in southern Sudan.
There is lack or inadequate archive facilities in most media houses
It’s difficult to get information from government offices in southern Sudan including the ten states governor.
Journalists should observe self-censorship while discharging their duties.
Journalists in government controlled area have been indoctrinated to think one way.
Freedom of press is not easily granted to journalists in most countries in Africa including southern Sudan.
RECOMMENDATIONS AMONG OTHERS:
Masses in southern Sudan should be educated on the role of journalists in the society.
Media houses should be equipped with modern equipments in order to meet the challenges of news coverage and reporting in southern Sudan.
The union of journalists of southern Sudan should call general assembly to endorse the code of conduct for journalism operation in southern Sudan ant it should also urgently embark in capacity building and training of journalists.
Southern Sudanese journalists should endeavour to take fields of specialized reporting in economic, political, sports, environment, health, agriculture, education, crime and society among others.
It is to be recalled that the World Press Freedom Day was declared 16 years ago at Windhoek Nambian capital at the time when southern Sudan was still in war.
(ST)