CEPO, in a statement, said media is a platform for exercising freedom of expressions and opinion for claiming government primary responsibility for good governance, democracy, respect of human rights and effective service delivery.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO said the role of the media in South Sudan is critical in the current period where the country is heading towards the end of political transitional period through to the elections in December 2024.
“Faster shift of political trend towards political dilemma and confrontation among the political parties in South Sudan on their road to end of the political transitional period is witnessed. Here, is where proactive and effective media role is needed but per now, the funding towards media is shrinking and this means citizens’ capacity for influencing political elites and leaders is also shrinking,” he observed.
Yakani expressed concerns that the shrinking funding for media in South Sudan is a threat and risk for the growth of democracy, transparency and accountability.
In the past months, he said, CEPO has observed a sharp decline in the number of journalists from various media houses due to lack of funding for the media house.
This development, according to Yakani, is a potential risk for the media family in South Sudan where the country is expecting to hold elections in December 2024.
Meanwhile, CEPO will this month hold a conference to mobilize funds for media.
“The conference will focus on urging donors to offer funding for media house in South Sudan for strengthening effective and proactive citizens’ engagement on ending the political transitional process in South Sudan,” said Yakani.
