South Sudan Minister accuses media of politicking media bill

By Ngor Arol Garang

January 1, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Paul Mayom Akech, South Sudan Minister of information and broadcasting service, yesterday Wednesday 31, in his Juba office, told representatives of the media, that his government has observed that some heads of different media operating in regional capital are politicking media.

“They are being driven by a political agenda to try and frustrate Government’s intention of introducing a media bill,” the minister said.

He said the government has observed and realized “some irresponsible individuals” have entered media to use them as their agents to advance their interests.

“The trend has changed and professional media should not allow politicians and other organizations to use them to fight Government over the proposed bill,” he adds.

He said it is unprofessional for media to allow or dedicate editorial columns against government over the proposed media when the bill has not yet been enacted.

On Monday, media representatives visited Minister Paul Mayom in his office with intention to access possibilities of how quick the bill could be passed before general elections, but the minister turned down the meeting alleging that he was attending international telephone conference.

He also did not inform media when he would call them for the meeting, prompting most media to write hot and bone touching comments in editorial pages which in turned prompted the minister to call for five men meeting in which he is reported as saying it is unfortunate that the media are attacking the government over draft bill while government is already committed to pursuing alternatives for passage.

He wondered what the media attack against government would achieve when the draft bill has not been circulated to stakeholders for advice.

“Which media bills are the media bodies talking about because the one which Government has is in draft form (and), hence not law,” he posed.

“They are just wasting their time because instead of concentrating on and showing determination to come up with their own draft bill, they are trying to buy time by attacking government,” he said.

He went on to say that the Government has given media enough time to come up with a self-regulation bill but doubted whether they were able to do so.

“I’m sure people who sponsored the media to come up with their own bill must be very disappointed because they have diverted from the real issues.”

He said had given the media the leeway to have their own bill but already there is an indication they have failed.

However, Akot John, freelance journalist and member of Media Liaison Committee who had more than thrice failed to agree with Minister Paul Mayom, posed that where in the world are media allowed to operate without legal act to refer to lest their journalists are accused by government officials.

“We opposed any form of regulation of the media by statute and we have submitted this view to Government through a well-thought paper on the matter recently. We share this view with partners in the Media Liaison Committee,” he said.

He stressed the association would continue to seek dialogue with Government over issues affecting the media.

Similarly, Surur Alison also commented that the year 2009 has been challenging year to the media because of the acrimony in the political arena.

“Those that have had a less desired outcome have blamed the media for their misfortune while those that have made it pretty well have not dared to apportion part of their success on the media,” he said.

He warned of legal action against political players fond of harassing journalists, pointing out that media are conscious of the fact that 2010 and 2011 will be active political years but violence against journalists will not be entertained.

(ST)