South Sudan pledges free press environment

April 9, 2011 (WAU)- The Government of South Sudan said on Saturday it allows journalists to freely exercise and perform their duties without entertaining violence, harassment or threats from any faction in the society against them, stressing they must “operate freely”.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Barnaba Marial Benjamin Bil, said in an interview with Sudan Tribune in response to allegations that Security operatives confiscated over 250 copies identified as belonging to as biweekly English Newspaper, The Juba Post, over an article quoting Dok James Puok, spokesman of the renegade General George Athor, as threatening to launch an attack on the regional capital.

Marial said the incident in which security operative confiscated copies of the newspaper was an isolated one and that his government does not in any way support infringing on press freedom.

“We are democratic government which allows all kind of freedom including press. We do not entertain any behavior which would interfere with all freedoms. What happened last week was an isolated incident and it has been resolved,” said minister Marial.

He said beating and arresting journalists without seeking evidence is undemocratic and that his ministry would not entertain.

“Beating journalists is undemocratic and unlawful. As government we are disturbed when we hear of journalists being harassed or beaten as these are professionals who should be allowed to perform their duties, whether we agree with them or not,” he said.

He said social factions including security operative must not take it upon themselves to attack professional media personnel but allow them to carry out their duties as their role is to inform the nation about events happening in the country.

“In South Sudan, we must promote the spirit of tolerance in diversity. We must agree to disagree and still continue to live together, side by side,” he said.

He said the government values the important role media from different backgrounds as a public broadcaster plays in providing quality information to South Sudanese and the world at large during referendum.

The minister said he would use the interview as an opportunity to tell management of different media houses especially those involvde in the broadcast to provide a well equipped in–house language laboratory fitted with microphones, recorders and headphones which will allow newscasters to practice, record themselves and playback to refine oral delivery.

“As Government, we will continue assisting our media to achieve its strategic objectives. We will, for instance, continue to support the broadcaster’s rural television project because we want to ensure that rural areas are also availed information,” he said.

(ST)