South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The South Sudan Media Authority, with support from Journalists for Human Rights on Wednesday, launched its official website. This initiative aims to promote ethical standards, combat misinformation, and enhance the integrity of news and information circulation.
Elijah Alier Kuai, the Managing Director of the Media Authority, said that the inauguration of the official website aims to ensure that the media environment remains accountable, qualified, and diverse.
“The website will be a resource to promote ethical standards, ensuring that the media landscape in South Sudan remains professional, independent, and pluralistic. We aim to combat misinformation and promote the integrity of news and information circulating within our society,” Kuai said on Wednesday during the launch of the Media Authority website at Telecom House.
“At the heart of our mission is an unwavering commitment to uphold freedom of expression. We recognize freedom of expression as essential to democracy and social progress,” he added.
Mary Ajith Goch, the Program Coordinator of Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), mentioned that her organization has been collaborating with the Media Authority to enhance its capacity to regulate the media and promote media freedom and freedom of expression.
“With the Media Authority now present on the digital platform, I feel that despite our country ranking 109th on the media freedom index internationally, this step represents progress toward South Sudan moving below 100,” Goch remarked.
Julius Banda, the outgoing Country Representative for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), urged all government institutions to embrace digital platforms.
“In today’s world, you must exist both offline and online. If you only exist offline, it’s as if you do not exist at all. It is important for all institutions to have an online presence,” Banda emphasized.
He also commended South Sudan for the progress made in relation to fundamental freedoms, particularly concerning legal frameworks, legislation, policies, and various regulations.
“The public should easily access information and see how government policies and regulations are implemented by each governmental institution,” he stated.
David Yau Yau, the Deputy Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services, indicated that the website will serve as the official channel for sharing reliable and accurate information.
“This digital platform will act as a vital conduit for information. The accessible website of the Media Authority is crucial for transparency, disseminating essential information, and fostering stronger connections among the authority, the media fraternity, and the public,” Yau Yau concluded.
