Amidst worries of repressiveness among journalists, South Sudan has drafted new media bills to replace older proposed laws that were rejected by the industry. Africa’s newest country, South Sudan has never had media laws. To fill the gap, Khartoum’s media laws, which are considered repressive, have prevailed since the war ended in 2005.
The media and the government clashed in 2009 when the government altered bills drafted in consultation with journalists and replaced them with versions criticised as repressive. The minister for Information and Broadcasting, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the latest drafts will reconcile the interests of the people, government and journalists.
“We are presenting the drafts to the parliament for the good of the people. And we are a party to the laws too,” said Dr Benjamin. “If passed into laws, they will protect journalists and make them account and take responsibility,” he said.
The old bills drafted in consultation with the media had detached the government from state radio and television and established them as public broadcasters. But the government unilaterally redrafted them, raising alarm among journalists. But now, the government says the new proposed laws will enhance the operation of independent media.
“We cannot rely on a single media channel to meet the information needs of the people. That is why we encourage the emergence of FM radio stations, especially the ones that broadcast in native languages and vernaculars. We would like the media to be innovative and responsible in meeting the aspirations of the people of South Sudan,” said the minister.
(Source: Africa Review)
