Speaking during the two-day symposium held in Juba, the President of UJOSS, Patrick Charles Oyet said such an investigative journalism training is a rare opportunity.
“This prompted UJOSS and its partners to conduct the training,” explained Oyet.
“This training is tailored to enhance skills for journalists to investigate stories. We expect you at the end of the sessions on investigative journalism to be able to produce investigative pieces on variety of topics of public interest,” he added.
Nichola Mandhil, a facilitator who lectures at Stafford University in Juba, said investigative journalism is about uncovering new information through research.
He said investigative reporting sways public opinion on issues of public interest.
“The main purpose of investigative journalism is seeking for facts hidden or covered up issues suppressed from public by individuals in power due to their vested interest,” said Mandhil.
He added, “It is also to alert the public of systematic failure and societal failing”.
Freedom of the press is extremely risky in South Sudan, where journalists work under constant threat and intimidation and where censorship is ever-present.
