South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) is advocating for free press and freedom of expression as World Press Freedom Day approaches, highlighting the significance of these rights for a healthy democracy.
Majak Daniel Kuany, Secretary-General of UJOSS, underscored the urgent need to protect freedom of expression in South Sudan ahead of World Press Freedom Day.
Observed annually on May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of press freedom and to remind governments of their obligation to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression, as outlined in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2025 is “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
In an exclusive interview with Dawn ahead of World Press Freedom Day, which will be observed on May 6 in South Sudan, Kuany reflected on the challenges facing the media, including threats to journalists’ safety and limited civic space.
“As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day, we must reflect on the state of media freedom in South Sudan,” he said. “At least 12 journalists have been killed between 2012 and 2015, a statistic that continues to haunt us. This day is not just symbolic; it’s a reminder of the work we still need to do to ensure a free and safe press.”
South Sudan will celebrate Freedom Day on Tuesday at the University of Juba under the theme “Support Enabling Environment for the Media in South Sudan.”
The Managing Director of EBC Radio and Television, Oliver Modi, speaking to the Dawn Newspaper (Credit: Jenifer James)
Meanwhile, Oliver Modi, Managing Director of EBC Radio and Television, is advocating for reform and independence. Echoing these concerns, veteran journalist Modi has called for deeper reforms to promote media independence and professional integrity in South Sudan.
In an exclusive interview on Friday, Modi pointed to persistent restrictions on press freedom, despite the existence of legal protections.
“We need an independent, pluralistic, and vibrant media that upholds freedom of expression and the right to information,” he stated. “That right is enshrined in our constitution. We have backed this with three legislative bills, leaving no stone unturned in our efforts.”
Modi also paid tribute to the late Alfred Taban and other media pioneers, noting that their legacy underscores the importance of a credible press. However, he warned that legal frameworks alone are insufficient.
“Our problem today is not the lack of laws or frameworks but the failure in governance systems that prevent us from operating freely,” he said. “We are still in a conflict-sensitive environment, not yet transitioned to true peace.”
Female journalist Suzan Taban has raised concerns about the growing challenges faced by media professionals in South Sudan, particularly the lack of access to information and increasing censorship. “Journalists in this country are working under extremely difficult conditions,” Suzan said. “The restrictions on information and the constant fear of censorship are major barriers to a free and independent press.”
According to the 2011 transitional constitution of South Sudan, the bill of rights guarantees freedom of expression under Article 24, granting citizens the right to disseminate and access information and engage with the press within limits set by public order and safety.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day was supported by Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and national and international partners.
NB: This story is reported with a grant from Journalists for Human Rights under the Tackling Mis/Disinformation Project, funded by the Peace and Stabilization Programme of the Government of Canada.
