South Sudan media regulator urges journalists to uphold ethical reporting

JUBA – The Director General for Information and Media Compliance of South Sudan media regulator, Sapani Abuyi, on Thursday called on journalists to uphold high ethical standards in their reporting in order to gain ‘public trust.’

In his address during the closing of a two-day workshop in Juba, Abuyi stressed the need for the media to uphold professionalism while reporting on various issues.

“While improving access to information is critical, journalists must commit to ethical reporting practices because the goal is to strike a balance between freedom of the press and the responsibilities that come with it, ensuring that information is both accessible and reliable,” Abuyi said.

The workshop organized by the Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section (RoLSIS) of UNMISS aimed to foster collaboration and enhance relations between the media and security institutions.

It brought together a range of stakeholders, including representatives from the media, civil society organizations, government agencies, and security forces.

Abuyi underscored the importance of the cooperation between security and media in combating misinformation and ensuring accurate reporting.

For his part, Mamadou Touré, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Security Sector Reform and Community Violence Reduction Unit within the Rule of Law and Security Institutions of UNMISS, said that they are committed to supporting South Sudan in strengthening the three pillars of trust, accountability, and collaboration.

“It is crucial for spokespersons to clarify situations and provide justifications because the public seeks understanding, not confusion. Every country faces difficulties, but open communication fosters a better understanding and supports the process of overcoming those challenges,” he said.

He went on to say that in order to foster confidence and trust among these stakeholders, conversations on the relationship between media and security agencies are essential.

The participants in the workshop recommended regular engagements between the media and security institutions so that they become acquainted with one another’s work and view one another as collaborators rather than adversaries.