South Sudan Ministry of Information lobbies parliament to enact media law
By Ngor Arol Garang
July 9, 2010 (WUNROK) — A senior official in the civil service in the regional government of Southern Sudan has urged the parliament to enact media law before the upcoming referendum takes place.
George Garang Deng, Undersecretary in the regional ministry of Information and Broadcasting said processes as a result of lobbying seeking attention of key institutions to approve media law have reached an advanced stage and the bill may soon be moved in the regional assembly.
In an interview with Sudan Tribune from Juba, Deng said he told key influential members of the August House that the bill would have provisions for establishment of an independent media supervisory board responsible for adherence to ethics, promotion of academic and professional standards.
“I have talked to a number of senior officials in the key institutions, particularly the specialized committees at the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, to quickly pay attention to the media law,” he said.
The media law has long been between the parliament and regional ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development since last year. Deng said he has asked the house to endorse the act before referendum takes place so that the media go on disseminating developmental and referendum-related activities with approved law.
As the government of Southern Sudan takes up this issue more seriously with the parliament for immediate approval, he however added that the media should not keep waiting but embark on activities relating to peace and conflict resolution plans as well as the need to continue sensitizing the people of Southern [Sudan] with more information about referendum and developmental projects being implemented across the region.
On the need to enact a new law, he explained that the act would repeal existing media statutes that had for long attracted widespread criticism for being outdated and some of the provisions were incompatible with the constitution.
The government, he said, would draw up regulations on ownership and registration of media outlets. The rules and regulations will take into account technological dynamism, particularly in this cyber era.
The official further added that the public-owned media (radio, TV and newspapers) will continue to be improved. The Southern Sudan Radio and TV would purchase more computers and other equipment to improve reporting and news operations, he added.
He further reported that plans to computerize Southern Sudan Radio and TV library will be completed soon. “Plans to computerize the two stations are at the finishing stages. We already have more computers but would like to add more for efficiency at work among journalists at the stations,” he said.
He further explained that Southern Sudan TV plans to increase coverage to more regions by installing new receiver stations in all the ten states capitals as well as in remotest areas.
It will also rehabilitate and improve its studios. It will also improve TV transmission using the modern digital system. It will continue with efforts to improve the cultural sector through research on the region diverse cultures and local languages. It will establish a data base for local artists with the aim to recognize their talents, promote and market them.
The ministry, he added, will continue with efforts to promote local dialects [languages] through publication of books and programmes on local radio.
The ministry too would like the government of Southern Sudan to finalize talks and plans over building printing press and formation of media supervisory board responsible for adherence to ethics, promotion of academic and professional standards and to continue negotiating with its partners to develop media in the region.
The top civil servant in the ministry of Information equally thanked the media in the region for showing interest and commitment to play its noble role of educating, informing and entertaining the public, despite difficult working conditions in many media houses.
He however pointed out that the ministry continued to face challenges caused by limited budget to enable it implement its planned programmes efficiently.
(ST)