South Sudan President Salva Kiir waits for the arrival of his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, who is on his first visit to the region as head of state, in Juba. (Reuters photo.)
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—The government of South Sudan has announced new administrative procedures forcing journalists to officially register with the Ministry of Information or face legal action. Journalists described the new procedures as an attempt by the government to restrict freedom of press in the country.
The new administrative procedures governing the work of journalists in South Sudan takes place against the backdrop of media speculation regarding the health of President Salva Kiir. Media reports have claimed that the South Sudan president’s recent visit to South Africa was to receive medical treatment for an unspecified condition, with the unsubstantiated reports arousing anger with the country’s media apparatus.
In exclusive comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said that all journalists must register their credentials with the Ministry of Information, adding that any journalist who fails to do so will face legal action. Lueth affirmed that Sudan’s Information Ministry will not be in charge of vetting journalists.
The Minister revealed that the Media Bill, which was approved last year by parliament, is awaiting the President’s signature. He denied that the bill would restrict freedom of the press in the country.
“The government will not attempt to encroach on the freedom of press, the job of journalists or lawful access to information,” Lueth told Asharq Al-Awsat.
South Sudan was ranked 124 out of 179 countries in the 2013 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.
South Sudanese journalists, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, described the new legislation as a serious threat to freedom of the press in the country. The journalists said that the South Sudanese government’s dealing with the press increasingly resembles that of the Sudanese government.
The Minister of Information denied media speculation about President Salva Kiir’s health, informing Asharq Al-Awsat: “If President Silva Kiir was ill, there would be no reason for us to hide it,” adding, “it is illogical for President Kiir to travel to South Africa for treatment and come back the next day.”
Well, if the registration of jourmalists aims to issue for them press cards that will make their work easier and that will also reduce the possibility of them being harrassed by security personnel while covering events, then no problem. But if the Minister is talking about the right of the government to vet journalists, them these is a seriouse move that all journalists must really resist.
I’m just wondering, how do you register journalists ahead of enacting the media laws… Let the President sign them into law first and then journalists shall see if the law necessitates registration or not, and whether that law will actually protect freedom of expression and access to information or not.
Finally I would like to share this part of a latter sent by over 40 human rights organization to President Salva Kiir dated November 8th, 2013
Protect Human Rights Defenders and Stop Harassment and Arrests of Journalists
Human rights defenders, whether individuals, civil society organizations, lawyers, or journalists have a crucial role in South Sudan’s development. Human Rights Defender’s reporting on government and army human rights violations have been subject to intimidation, threats, and institutional barriers to their work. A number have since fled into exile. There has been no progress by the authorities in identifying the killers of a prominent commentator and journalist, Isaiah Abraham, who was shot by gunmen on December 5, 2012.
Across South Sudan, National Security Service (NSS) officers and other security forces have unlawfully harassed, arrested and temporarily detained journalists, leading to self-censorship and a chilling effect in the media, and violating the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan. Several editors were summoned to the National Security Service office in Juba in late 2012 and in 2013 to explain articles that appeared in their newspapers. In January 2013, in Juba, three NSS members arrested a journalist at gunpoint and held him overnight in an NSS detention center. As the National Security Service has no legal mandate in South Sudan at this time authorities should ensure that all its activities cease. Your leadership has expressed its commitment to democratization and human rights on numerous occasions in the past. Ensuring a free and open media, as a cornerstone of democracy, would demonstrate a genuine commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights in South Sudan.
We encourage the government to promote an enabling environment for South Sudanese journalists and human rights defenders to meaningfully engage in national dialogue and with regional and international human rights mechanisms without fear of reprisals.