Juba, South Sudan,
June 12, 2021 – The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has on Saturday launched a new website that enables members and stakeholders to access relevant information and seek assistance where necessary.
Speaking at the event attended by representatives from the government, civil society organizations, business community, and foreign diplomatic missions in the country, Oyet Patrick, the UJOSS newly-elected President said the launch of the website shall also facilitate the protection of journalists.
“We are going to have our own lawyer as the union to defend journalists. We are doing this because of human rights. The rights of journalists should not be violated,” said Oyet.
To the government, Oyet said, “If you want investors to come and invest in the country, it is the work of journalists to give the right information about South Sudan.”
Oyet assured the guests that plans were underway to train journalists in the country to curate impactful and quality content.
“This time we are going to have quality reporting from our journalists because we want them to specialize in reporting, especially in the area of business, politics, health, and many others,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Robert Eric Mdedza, the Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Energy said independent and quality journalism was a catalyst for development.
“The media, through reporting stories, promote development. We want independent media to move this country forward through reporting the issues concerning the country,” said Mdedza adding a number of journalists in the needed support in terms of capacity building.
Mohamed Elbadry, the Deputy Ambassador of Egypt who also doubles as the Head of Political Section, said that the role of journalists in creating an informed citizenry cannot be understated.
“With the creation of awareness, the country goes forward in terms of development because the citizen and the authority would be able to know what should be done through the information they get from the media,” Elbadry said.
India Deputy Ambassador S.K Rajoria said “Without journalists, you will not know what we are doing in this country. They are very important in all aspects of development.”
A representative from the South Sudan Civil Society Forum, Rajaf Mohandis said the media fraternity has made enormous contributions to the peace process and their role in the progress of the peace process has been critical.
“The media contributed a lot in the peace process. We have been relying on them so much. We are calling on those who are mandated for their protection to do their work because journalists are working for the development of this country,” said Mohandis.
Representative of South Sudan Journalists Club, Poverty Alfred Taban said criticisms of independent media by stakeholders were important as it enables media professionals to correct their mistakes.
“Criticism is okay because the solution will come to resolve the issue that might have brought the problem that may affect the development of the country,” Taban said.
Head of Information Commission, Moyiga Nduru urged journalists to report fairly and objectively.
The UJOSS website is accessible via www.u-joss.org.
