Chagor’s Jonglei government orders all journalists to register

BOR, JANUARY 28^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The government of Governor Denay Jock Chagor in the restive Jonglei State has ordered all journalists active in the state to register with the ministry of information and communication claiming the move is mean to promote freedom of the press.

In a statement dated 26^th January 2023, the director-general of the ministry of information and communication of Jonglei State said journalists are required to submit passport-sized photos as well as identification documents.

“This serves to inform all the journalists from various Media Houses and freelance journalists in Jonglei State to register with the Ministry of Information & Communication. Each journalist is required to submit a passport sized photo and copies of relevance documents,” the statement reads in part.

“These names are needed for planning purposes by the Ministry in an effort to promote Freedom of Press and enhance the efficiency of communication and information sharing across the State and beyond,” it added.

It further said that local media houses “are required to submit to the Office of Director General the names of all their journalists following the above criteria” while freelance journalists “should register directly with the office of director-general.”

This process will continue for two weeks starting January 30^th 2023, the statement added.

The latest move comes as South Sudan media authority said that journalists who haven’t been accredited by the media regulator will not be allowed to cover the visit, next week, to the country by Pope Francis and will not also be allowed to operate in the country.