South Sudan media practitioners urged to avoid hate speech

JUBA – South Sudan’s media practitioners have been urged to refrain from inciting hate speech and to uphold professional standards.

Elijah Alier Kuai, the Managing Director of the South Sudan Media Authority, made the call during a general assembly meeting organized by the Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS).

“Unity among journalists is essential. Together, we can build a vibrant media landscape that stands resilient against hate speech and incitement to violence,” he said.

“We must commit to respecting individual privacy and avoid character assassination, ensuring that our media platforms are free from misinformation and disinformation,” Kuai said.

Zhao Yang, the Secretary for Political Section at the Chinese Embassy, emphasized the importance of responsible journalism in promoting peace and development.

“With the development of South Sudanese media industry, I believe UJOSS and journalists will definitely do a better job in the future, journalists should ensure their professionalism, accuracy of information you need to reflect the facts truthfully and double check with relevant parties if you are uncertain about the source of information,” Zhao said.

Julius Banda, Country Representative for UNESCO, highlighted the role of professional media in fostering unity and understanding.

Oyet Patrick Charles, the President of UJOSS, expressed his commitment to developing a vibrant media landscape that embraces professionalism and unity.

“We want a union where the former executive still works together with the new executive, and we want a UJOSS that is building on what the former leaders have actually done,” Charles said.