South Sudan authorities detain Juba Post managing editor in Juba
By Manyang Mayom
January 13, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The managing editor of The Juba Post, Isaac Billy Gideon, was detained Monday for a press release that was run in the newspaper two months ago. Gideon, who spent about nine hours in custody, was arrested at 10:00am yesterday but was bailed out at 6:50 pm.
The Juba Post Editor-in-Chief Charles Luganya Ronyo, who is currently in Khartoum, strongly condemned the arrest of his managing editor. He said that a newspaper cannot be held accountable for press releases or public opinions. “The arrest of Mr. Gideon is an attempt at intimidation for newspapers not to run press releases or opinion concerning the land grabbing in the south.”
The Juba Post newspaper has been registered in Khartoum on 9 January, 2005 and start printing 5,000 copies weekly from Monday and Wednesday double a week said Luganya. “Our newspaper is read in Southern Sudan and in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan.”
The Madi community in Juba issued a press statement two months ago condemning the malpractices of land allocation in Nimule to Business. In the press release that was also published by many other newspapers mentioned SPLA Brigadier William Deng of being in charge of the land mismanagement?
“The press release was signed by advocate Becho Pitia” said Luganya.
When the press release was published, Brigadier Deng approached the newspaper and denied that story, but the Juba Post told him that they are not accountable for the press release from the Madi community.
However, Deng has filed a case against The Juba Post under Article 152 of 2008 of South Sudan for libel and self-defamation.
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newpolitiks
South Sudan authorities detain Juba Post managing editor in Juba
All newspapers and other media has responsibility to verify and confirmt heir sources to make sure it is not a malicious or fake or a false alarm news or press release. when the newspapers and radio stations register they were given rules and regulations upon which they have to operate responsibly,if they break their own code then they are not above the law,just because you are from the media does not mean you are a bove the law or does not make mistake but you will have to answer for yur own stupidity.for example now Israel has blocked all jornalists from entering Gaza,is that respect for media and press? they did that because they don’t want the media to compromise their operations thats all.journalists need to be warned when they register their agencies that they have responsibilities and they have to abide by the law or risk being arrested and taken to courts like any law abiding citizens,they do not have a special consideration,they are same like any citizen.
J.James
South Sudan authorities detain Juba Post managing editor in Juba
What the mess!
Do article 152 protect the corrupts? So called Deng should relate himself to the say that no smoke without fire, yes he should be shame of himself before he open his ugly lips because his name did not appeared there among the millions without evidence but for solid reasons known very much by him.
GOSS must also encourage a freedom of press for we don’t welcome saddam Hussein and Meloshivoc theories of abstraction of justic in South Sudan. Journalist must be given wide space to write or air whatever Sudanese people want to know.
All those buses bought through stolen governemet funds, secret accounts, foreign mansions own by South Sudan officials as well and unacceptable conducts must be reported openly. Those who try to resist justic must be dealt with in one way or the other.
I hope all agree
God bless.
JINO MADA
South Sudan authorities detain Juba Post managing editor in Juba
south sudanese claiming they are transfoming into a democratic society, opinions and freedom of expression should be allowed.Madi intellectual have rights to complains what’s happening in thier lands,those corrupted officials should be brought to jusice.the land grabbing should be stop.