Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
By Julius N. Uma
November 21, 2011 (JUBA) – The two South Sudanese journalists, released on Saturday without charge after more than two weeks of detention, have vowed to spearhead the campaign for media laws, which they say, are lacking in the nascent state of South Sudan.
Ayok, The Destiny’s deputy editor, was arrested on 5 November by officials believed to be from the country’s National Security Services (NSS).
The arrest of the journalists sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organisations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Describing his ordeal at a thanks-giving ceremony organised by Naivasha Media Production, the publishers of The Destiny newspaper on Sunday, Ngor detailed how he was “beaten and tortured by people who never identified themselves.”
“The experience I went through was horrible. I was beaten and denied access to my personal doctor. I fed on one bread per day,” said Ngor.
Particular note was made of the Sudan Tribune online petition, which was signed by 493 people.
The petition continues, but now urges the South Sudanese government to uphold press freedom, refrain from the illegal torture and detention of journalists and pass laws guaranteeing the independence of the media in South Sudan.
Ngor remarked, “Had it not been due to the persistence of some of these people, I don’t know what would have happened. How could the same government, which claims to have fought for the freedom of this country, later turn around to abuse this freedom by torturing innocent citizens? I cannot understand this.”
Dengdit, in a separate interview with Sudan Tribune, decried the absence of media legislation in the country and urged the journalism fraternity to advocate for the provision of the law.
“While I was in detention, I was repeatedly asked to reveal names of politicians they believed were behind the story I wrote. I kept telling them that I was not influenced by anyone,” he said, adding that, “the real advocacy for media laws begins now.”
In a related development, Hakim Moi, one of the founders of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), urged journalists to demand for the passing of the much-hyped media bill, currently before the National Assembly.
“When you have the access to information law, you are entitled to obtain documents in government possession. In the same way, the broadcasting law would govern journalists working in a radio or television stations,” said Moi.
(ST)
PETITION CALLING FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH SUDAN TO PASS PRESS LAWS GUARANTEEING PRESS FREEDOM. PLEASE PASS THE LINK ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND CONTACTS.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/release_ngor_garang/
Press Releases:
Reporters Without Borders – Authorities urged to free two journalists and reopen their newspaper
AMDISS – AMDISS Regrets Arrest and Detention of Destiny Editors
Amnesty International – Urgent Action: Two Journalists Arrested in South Sudan
Committee to Protect Journalists – South Sudan security detains two journalists
CEPO – Juba: Freedom of Expression should prevail
Sudan Tribune – Sudan Tribune calls for South Sudan to release journalist
Media Coverage:
Sudan Tribune – Amnesty International joins calls for the release of Sudan Tribune journalist
Sudan Tribune – South Sudanese journalist released, two remain in detention
Sudan Tribune – Human Rights Watch call for release of Sudan Tribune journalist
Sudan Tribune – Sudan Tribune journalist arrested in Juba
Sudan Tribune – Sudan Tribune launches petition for release of journalist]
PETITION CALLING FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH SUDAN TO PASS PRESS LAWS GUARANTEEING PRESS FREEDOM. PLEASE PASS THE LINK ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND CONTACTS.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/release_ngor_garang/
Madina Tonj
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
There is nothing call democracy system under Gogrialism rule. You can prove me wrong let say those of Gogrialism supporting wrong direction, but take good example,when the close president told Salve Kiir Manyardit to relocated Warrap’s Captal to Kuacjok inner to Wau claiming, they were mistreated by George Kongor Arop Akol the former VP of Sudan. I hope our brothers of Gogrial got lesson from Liby
Malou Manyiel
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
I think media freedom is on both sides of a coin. Even though its bill is passed, it does not mean that journalists or any person have the rights to write what comes to his mind without respecting and observing other people’s freedoms. Suppose our daughters are marriage according to their parents’ choice of who to marry, could this be also a violation of girls’ rights of who to marry?
Bush
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
The freedom that we fought for doesn’t give you 100% to tarnish someone’s image or reputations, that’s an abuse of freedom and continue to do so will get you in to more trouble. We know these days some people(like you)want to do things so that they get the sympathy and become celebrities.
Follow the ethics of journalism and no one will ask you dude.
Bush
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
@Malou Manyiel
You are right, the journalists want media freedom so that they can lie and insult others freely, what about the rights of those that they want to lie and write nonsense about? Don’t they have their rights to protect them? I’m not against journalists but they should also respect others rights and follow ethics at their work.
Sundayw
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
This is all part of Sudan Tribune crusade against the new republic in the international forum. Let’s not forget that Sudan Tribune is no longer the news outlet representing news from South. In fact, this news organization always publish something contrary to the truth. How many stories have been unverified in this news outlet? Hundreds. Never trust ST.
Madingthith
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
@Two journalists release without charges,
You two guys always remember that freedom has a limit. therefore you should not be in position to attack President personality through cultural ethics but not political motives.
Michael Angelo
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
Bush,
I agree with you in some points, but not all. Yes, journalists must respect others if they want to be free. Some folks take Kiir’s daugter for granted while forgetting the fact that Ethiopia and Sudan link intermarriage for ages. How many Ethiopian ladies did Southerners married and Ethiopian never condemn that? If those journalists want freedom then let them give freedom to others.
Waucity
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
Only our legendary government arrest people for a week and then come back saying they want to fight..Why, because nobody warn them not to, or tortured them, Nhialic thei Akuma da!!!!!!!!1
BM Bol
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
I am not condoning what was done to these journalists, but they need to take into consideration how things are done in western world vs so-called third world. You cannot simply export western world style of journalism to places like South Sudan and expect nothing. Laws are only as good as they‘re enforce and obeyed.
Luthern King
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
I would like to encouraged our bros for the pain the goes through this will let you much more popular to the whole world and adocate for the right of journalist sincerely.
“Take heard”
MAY GOD BLESS SOUTH SUDAN.
Martin Muong
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
Many thanks, Mr Bush for your thoughts,but these people of ours keep getting at our leaders. Respect mean a lot to all of us. Criticism can’t unify us to build our fledgling state. It is good when you’re castigating someone for having done something wrong. But what is wrong with our people is that, when they got access to website they end up using abusive language.
Akech
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
Dear Peter and Dengdit,
First I personally doesn’t know the right and freedom that you are claiming because you should know the right of other before your right.
1. Did girl have any right married a man she Love?
2. Do you mean persident can out rule out his doughter right?
3. Does your culture mean you should married out side it and your daughter can’t marriage?
You people don’t misuse the right
Abu sala
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
To you who cann’t reason, Who has suffer between the President Kiir Mayardit and Ngor Arol Garang the journalist. By saying the decision made Kiir and his family wrong does not mean he has tarnish the president or God. it is 100% his opinion and not anyone is opinion, why feeling offensive by someone is opinion what big decision being president which are not like the by citizen? who gonna torture
Frak Cho
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
Michael, You said it right. Being a journalists, does not mean you are a total man and above the law& wants to tarnish anything at your own wish. President Kiir’s daughter got all the right to marry whoever she wants and be happy with. what right do you need if you condemn Kiir’s daughter marriaging an Ethiopian who is after all an African whom we have common bordar with.Please Journalists,respect
Mayar
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
Madina Tonj or whatever you call yourself, your such an idiot.. this is not about gogrial, this is about the release of two journalist and media freedom. how about be to the point..
ABDALLA BIN ABDALLA
Released journalists speak of their ordeal and vow to fight for media freedom in S. Sudan
Mr. Kiir and his associates devoted their lives to liberate southerners and give freedom they never know. these people who are currently governing the state have turn to be enemies of their people. they are corrupt, ruthless, introvert and selfish. they deny freedom they have been fighting for and they watch their citizens killing themselves. they are only vigilant on the critics and their oppenen