Security agents release South Sudan news editor

August 19, 2014 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese editor who was detained by the country’s national security services on Saturday has been freed.

David Ocen, the news editor of the Catholic-owned Bakhita radio, was picked by security agents after the station aired a news bulletin on clashes between pro-government forces and rebels in Unity state.

The station was consequently close and it opening has been delayed over what officials described as demands by the national security agents “for instructions on how the radio will operate.”

“They want to reduce political programs and this is what we shall discuss tomorrow with them,” a Bakhita FM staff told Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity Tuesday.

A number of media advocacy group on Tuesday issued strongly worded statements demanding Ocen’s release from detention.

Presently, South Sudanese journalists operate in a vacuum of laws as President Salva Kiir is yet to sign the media bills passed by the national assembly last year.

(ST)