South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Arich Deng Anyar
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday called for a cordial working relationship between security institutions and the media in order to realize peace, stability and accountability in the country.
Mamadou Touré, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Security Sector Reform Community Violence Reduction Unit within the Rule of Law and Security Institutions of UNMISS called for dialogue, collaboration and trust- building between these two crucial pillars of society.
“Security institutions are tasked with protecting civilians, upholding the rule of law and ensuring national stability. Meanwhile, the media serves as a bridge between the government and the public, providing accurate information, exposing wrongdoings and giving a voice to the people,” said Touré during the two-day workshop aimed at strengthening the relationship between the media and security institutions in Juba.
He cited the challenges journalists endure such as access to information, press freedom and safety risks in their line of duty, adding meanwhile, security personnel have raised concerns about misinformation, biased reporting and potential security risks posed by unverified information.
“Today’s workshop provides an opportunity to foster this understanding by addressing the challenges, promoting dialogue and identifying practical solutions that allow both parties to carry out their respective duties effectively and responsibly,” said Touré.
He emphasized a proper working relationship is needed between the security institutions and media to ensure that security measures do not infringe upon press freedom.
“Security institutions and the media are not adversaries; rather they are partners in advancing peace, justice and democracy in South Sudan. By working together, we can ensure that accurate information reaches the public, and security concerns are properly addressed and the fundamental rights of all citizens including the right to free expression are upheld,” said Toure.
He disclosed that UNMISS stands ready to support efforts and constructive discussions aimed to build a stronger and more cooperative relationship between security institutions and the media for the benefit of citizens.
