South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) has urged journalists to take a proactive role in informing the public about South Sudan’s ongoing constitution-making process.
Speaking at the conclusion of a three-day media workshop in Juba, key stakeholders highlighted the vital role of the press in ensuring transparency, civic education, and public engagement.
Speaking during the closing ceremony on Thursday, NCRC Commissioner Gatluak Pech Dak underscored the significance of the workshop.
“This is a very important workshop for you as journalists and for us as members of the NCRC,” he stated. “We are stakeholders in this constitutional process, and if it succeeds, it will be our collective success.”
Dak encouraged journalists to report responsibly and hold the commission accountable.
“Whatever we encounter, it is you who will report it,” he continued. “We might try to provide misleading information, but please don’t allow us to do that. Keep us on track so we can provide the people of South Sudan with accurate information.”
He also referenced lessons learned from other countries, particularly South Africa and Kenya.
“When you look at Kenya’s journey from 1963 to 2010, you understand that constitutional change is a process,” Dak noted. “We can draw from that, and from South Africa, to guide our own path.”
He concluded the event by officially closing the workshop on behalf of the NCRC Chairman, who was away on official duty.
Meanwhile, Wudu Dickson, a representative from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), praised the outcomes of the workshop and reiterated JICA’s support for the constitution-making process.
“I am very sure you have gained a lot over these three days,” he told participants. “You now understand the progress the NCRC has made, the challenges it faces, and the key role of the media in informing the public.”
Dickson pledged that recommendations made during the workshop would be shared with JICA leadership and expressed optimism for ongoing support.
“JICA is committed to ensuring access to information in South Sudan,” he said. “Beyond our support for the NCRC, we are also working with UNESCO to promote access to information before and after the 2026 elections.”
He detailed several ongoing media-related projects, including the rehabilitation of SSBC stations in Malakal and Wau, the construction of a community radio station in Terekeka, and a new radio station at the University of Juba’s School of Journalism.
However, Oyet Patrick, Chairperson of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), emphasised the media’s readiness to support the constitution-making effort.
“The turnout for this workshop exceeded expectations,” Oyet said. “That tells you the media is eager and prepared to handle the responsibility of informing the public about this critical democratic process.”
Oyet stressed the need for further training and outreach.
“Three days is a good start, but it’s not enough. Journalists need to be well equipped to understand and explain constitutional issues. If a journalist doesn’t understand something, they can’t help their audience understand.”
He also called for support in reaching more journalists in remote areas and encouraged the use of local languages on community radio stations to enhance civic understanding.
“It’s always better to go to the people,” he added. “We believe that, moving forward, we will continue to partner, overcome challenges, and ensure that the media plays its full role in supporting democratic transformation.”
Participant Garang John Juma stated that the knowledge gained would be shared with colleagues in the state to improve reporting on the constitutional making process in the country ahead of the elections.
The workshop concluded with logistical updates for participating journalists from various states, with travel arrangements scheduled for the coming days.
