South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The management of the popular Radio Jonglei station, 95.9 FM, has refuted reports of the arrest and harassment of journalists following a security raid on the station.
On 8th June 2025, some media outlets reported that state security had raided and shut down the station, briefly detaining and mishandling journalists after the broadcast of alleged “war songs” related to intercommunal violence on the disputed Buothagany fishing island—a claim that the management of the radio station has denied.
Tijwog Agwet, Chief Executive Officer of Radio Jonglei, acknowledged the shutdown of the radio station but denied that any attack or arrest of journalists occurred.
“We would like to clarify the misinformation circulating on social media. The claims that Radio Jonglei was attacked and staff members arrested are completely untrue. No staff were arrested,” Agwet said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Agwet explained that the manager responded to a summons by the National Security Services in Bor town on 9th June and returned safely without any arrests.
He stated that the matters leading to the shutdown of the radio station will be addressed by the Media Authority, the body tasked with regulating media outlets in the country.
“We understand the concerns that led to this intervention by state security. We appreciate their efforts to protect our staff and the station during this sensitive period.”
The management apologised to its listeners and the state government for airing a provocative war song, he said.
“As the management, we take full responsibility for the situation and sincerely apologise to our listeners and the broader community for any distress this may have caused.”
He reiterated their commitment to upholding responsible journalism and adherence to ethical standards.
“We respectfully appeal to the Jonglei State government to allow us to resume broadcasting operations so we can continue serving our communities with essential content,” he said.
On 24th August 2021, national security shut down the popular Radio Jonglei over claims that the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) was using the station to promote anti-government protest plans.
Three journalists, including the station’s manager, were briefly detained during the operation.
On 25th September 2021, the popular station resumed operations under strict censorship following a month-long shutdown.
