Capt. Guot Guot Akol, Police Spokesperson, NorthernBahr el Ghazal State, speaking at the opening of the 2-day stakeholders’ workshop in Wau © UNESCO
As part of the 2022 World Press Freedom Day initiatives, UNESCO and the National Press Club in South Sudan conducted a 2-day multi-stakeholder capacity building workshop on media laws, in Wau on 4 and 5 May 2022. Participants were drawn from the police, military, Journalists and media managers from Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States, South Sudan.
The workshop aimed to equip stakeholders with knowledge and skills on media laws as well as enhance the spirit of working together in addressing issues on promotion of freedom of expression and safety of Journalists.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Julius Banda, UNESCO Country Representative to South Sudan, urged stakeholders to adopt and practice a multi-stakeholder approach in tackling issues on freedom of expression, press freedom and safety of journalists. “This requires the active efforts of all actors (for instance, Judiciary, police, lawyers, CSOs, line ministries, UN Agencies etc.), in addressing these challenges that will in the long-term enable us reduce the cycle of violence against media workers but also realize a free and safe media environment that will allow for accountability, democratic processes, participation, transparency and development”, he stated.
Capt. Guot Guot Akol, Police Spokesperson Northern Bahr el Ghazal, stated that “we embrace the media, and with the media we can help our society and build a better society. Let’s complement each other’s work, our role is to maintain public order, protect property and prevent crimes before they happen”. He also called on the media to avoid misinformation and incitement to violence and tribalism in their reporting.
While Hon. Anthony Charles, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and the Acting Minister for Information in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, appreciated efforts in strengthening capacities of State officials. “The workshop is the first of its kind, and we hope these will continue as we aim to work towards a free media. We are ready to support these initiatives and continually work with our partners”, he stressed.
Mr. James Deng, National Press Club South Sudan State Coordinator and Mr. Majak Daniel, Secretary General Union of Journalists of South Sudan both called for cooperation among stakeholders and urged for the continued capacity building of journalists to be better equipped with skills and knowledge to promote professionalism in the sector.
The activity was made possible through support from UNESCO Multi Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists.