U.S demands release of VOA reporter in detention

JUBA – The United States Embassy in South Sudan on Tuesday demanded the immediate release of Voice of America Journalist Diing Magot.

Journalist Diing was detained on 7 August at the Konyo-Konyo market while covering protests by some youths demanding the government address the rising costs of fuel and essential commodities in the market.

She is apparently being held alongside six other demonstrators, one of whom was shot in the leg during the demonstration.

The U.S Embassy in South Sudan called on authorities to immediately release detained journalist Diing Magot.

“We call on authorities to permit journalists to do their jobs, without interference or harm. The right of journalists to seek information and share their findings with citizens is an integral part of a free, strong, and democratic society,” said a statement from the U.S embassy in Juba.

It also called on authorities to respect the right to peacefully assemble.

Separately, the Female Journalists’ Network, a body that advocates for the rights of female journalists, urged the authority in charge to release her and hand over her case to the Media Authority.

“Therefore, we appeal to the authority in charge to release her and hand over her case to the Media Authority who should handle it through dialogue,” read part of the statement.

“She was only doing her job as a journalist. We are told that at the time of her arrest, she was found without any ID to prove that she was a journalist.”

The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) said it is following up on her case with the police.

“The lawyers have prepared a bail application but that could not be submitted unless investigation was complete,” it said.