Speaking to journalists amid mounting public debate over online conduct, Ateny denied that the administration sponsors or coordinates digital abuse against its opponents. He stressed that individuals who engage in insults or online attacks do so independently and not on behalf of the government.
“No, government doesn’t recruit anyone to abuse those who are abusing,” Ateny said. “They say they are government officials. It’s ridiculous. They are doing it at their own peril.”
The minister emphasised that anyone claiming to defend government positions while engaging in online insults is acting in a personal capacity. According to him, such individuals are neither mandated nor supported by the state. “That is their own. They are representing themselves,” he stated.
Ateny further argued that if the government were financing such activities, the funding would have to be reflected in the official budget of the Ministry of Information. He made it clear that no such allocation exists.
“Did we pass any budget to give anybody to insult? We don’t. There is no single coin that was paid to anyone to insult others,” he said.
The spokesperson added that neither he nor his predecessors approved any funds for the purpose of sponsoring online attacks. He noted that any official payments related to government communication would have to pass through his ministry.
“How do you pay those who are insulting on behalf of the government if it is not through this ministry?” he asked.
Ateny concluded by reiterating that no individual insulting others online is officially representing the government. “There is nobody who is insulting and representing the government, by the way. He is not there,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing concerns from sections of the public and civil society about alleged coordinated online attacks by individuals claiming to defend government interests.
Ateny’s statement distanced the President Salva Kiir-led administration from any form of organised digital abuse, underscoring that such actions are neither sanctioned nor funded by the state.
