Media Authority stresses balanced court coverage
Addressing a breakfast panel in Juba, Director General Sapana Abuyi reminded reporters that free speech in South Sudan remains protected, yet must align with courtroom procedures.
He clarified that recent restrictions targeted only outlets under investigation, insisting no blanket ban exists and urging fairness during the ongoing high-profile trial.
“Freedom is not licence,” Abuyi cautions
Abuyi noted that sensational or inaccurate narratives risk eroding public trust. “Freedom of expression does not mean freedom to defame,” he said, inviting editors to review contested stories and correct errors swiftly to avoid fuelling division.
Legal experts outline the framework
Advocate Elijah Mayual Manger encouraged journalists to master statutes governing contempt and defamation. He argued that awareness of legal boundaries enables transparent coverage, adding that no South Sudanese law blocks court reporting when norms are respected.
Union of Journalists champions dialogue
Secretary-General Majak Daniel Kuany highlighted the media’s role in democracy. He urged colleagues to stimulate public debate with verified facts, warning that misinformation could threaten peace and unity.
“Our duty is to inform, not to incite,” Kuany concluded, calling for enduring professionalism across newsrooms.
Continuing engagement between press and regulator
The breakfast panel, the second this year, marked ongoing collaboration between the Union of Journalists of South Sudan and the Media Authority. Participants agreed to craft joint guidelines that safeguard both judicial integrity and the public’s right to know during sensitive proceedings.