S. Sudan media advocacy group urges better working relations between journalists, security ahead of papal visit

JUBA, JANUARY 23^rd 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan media advocacy organization, Association for Media Development in South Sudan or AMDISS, on Monday called for better working relations between journalists and security ahead of the visit to Pope Francis.

AMDISS made this call following a meeting held on Monday at its head office to review the media space in the country.

“We, therefore, call for the strengthening of mutual cooperation between media and security agencies this time and beyond in the interest of safeguarding press freedom and access to information,” the media advocacy group said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Monday.

“AMDISS noticed with concern recent incidences where some media were blocked from coverage of some events.”

It called for improving the work environment for the media during the anticipated historical ecumenical visit to Juba.

“Some of these emergency cases brew mistrust among journalists and security agencies and this threatens the search for vibrant and pluralistic media in South Sudan to play an important role in connecting people to the government through the dissemination of crucial information,” it said.

His Holiness, Pope Francis, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Justine Welby, and moderator of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Rev. Dr. Iain Greenshields will visit Juba from 3rd through February 5th, 2023.

The group hailed Media Authority’s efforts in addressing some media-related issues.

“We do commend some of the efforts played by Media Authority for resolving some media issues and do hereby urge the security organ to do what is within the law for media houses to participate fully to cover this great ecumenical visit in enhancing peacebuilding South Sudan,” it said.

AMDISS urged journalists to adhere to the journalistic code of conduct to avoid getting into problems with security agencies.

“AMDISS calls on media to strictly adhere to the code of conduct for the practice of journalism in South Sudan. it further advises and reinforces the call for media practitioners to get accreditation from Media Authority to cover the event.”

AMDISS is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by South Sudanese to advocate for media freedom.