Media director appeals for enactment of media law before election
By Isaac Vuni
March 27, 2009 (JUBA) — There is an urgent need to enact a media law, one of the vital components for promoting democracy and protection of journalists and public broadcasters in Southern Sudan, said Dr. Hakim Dario Nyangamoi, Director of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS).
Hon. Georgette Lat Mading (NCP, Unity State), deputy chairperson of the committee of Information and Culture, introduced the director of AMDISS to present concerns for freedom of the press and for protecting journalists during the coverage of the coming election and in southern Sudan.
Dr. Nyangamoi told the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly that media legislation for Southern Sudan is key to development of democracy particularly for holding free and fair elections scheduled for July this year. He added that independent media ought to encourage public debate in an impartial and objective manner.
He added that the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) started many years ago but died in 2003 before being revived after signing of the CPA. The association has drafted GOSS media bills, advocated for right to access information, formed an independent media commission and established South Sudan corporation bills now awaiting approval.
Responding to a question on what is the difference between Union of Journalists of Southern Sudan (UJOSS) officially registered by government before AMDISS, the director said it is a non-profit organization that draws its members from media houses operating in South Sudan and UJOSS is a member. He denied existence of conflict between them.
UJOSS management has alleged that AMDISS was being directed by Kenyans and some Italians who the drafted media bills in their own interest. This organization currently is run by three officials, Santino Okanyi Lewa, secretary general, James Lemor his deputy, and Lucy Gordon, financial secretary. It employs a Ugandan consultant who was tasked with putting the Juba Post weekly paper in order, which has not happened, and they are assisted by a multi-donor trust fund.
Meanwhile, Hon. Henry Omai Akolawia, SPLM from Fashoda County, asked about how could AMDISS deals with frequent interference of security in the work of journalists and media in southern Sudan. Nyangamoi responded that their organization would endeavor to implement the interim constitution of Southern Sudan in all ten states of Southern Sudan because the CPA guarantees human rights, freedom of expression and of protection of the press.
Hon. David Nailo Mayo hailed the presentation for raising awareness for the media bill ahead of the Assembly’s recess for election campaigning. He disclosed that the media draft bill has not yet reach August House but is still laying in the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development, which he alleged lack professional officials to redraft the media bill in legal terminology before being presented to the Council of Ministers and to parliament. He added that the media bill is being held hostage partly due to the irregular meeting schedules of the assembly specialized committee.
Present in attendance were only 19 MPs including the speaker of Eastern Equatoria State.
(ST)