Al Watan newspaper suspends operation over increased printing costs

JUBA – South Sudan’s Juba-based Arabic daily, Al Watan Newspaper, has suspended operation after a printing agency increased the costs of printing.

Michael Rial Christopher, the editor in chief of the newspaper, said the publication of the newspaper has been suspended after the printing press increased the cost from 30,000 SSP to 100,000 per 1000 copies.

“The price of the printing was 30,000 SSP but today it is 100,000 SSP, this is from 30,000 to 60,000 SSP and now 100,000,” said Christopher,” he said.

“We think this is a huge increase for the ordinary Citizen instead of buying a copy of the newspaper with 300 SSP is better to buy a bag of bread,” he added.

Christopher further said that the closure of the newspaper has now affected around 20 journalists.

“There is no benefit for us and it has a serious effect on the management. We have rent to pay, the landlord has nothing to do with you if you are working or not,” he said.

“The staff need to be paid, we have 20 journalists and managers, these people will be affected by this, and it will create unemployment for people who use it to help their families,” he added.