Journalist beaten in South Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A journalist in South Sudan said he was beaten by security guards as he recorded the proceedings of the National Assembly.

The Sudan Tribune reported Mading Ngor, host of a popular early morning program on Sudan's Catholic-sponsored Bakhita radio network, was roughed up by four security guards who tore his clothing and destroyed his equipment as he listened to the Assembly. They stopped after a member of the Assembly intervened.

"What I encountered today was really embarrassing to the media as a profession," he told the newspaper, which pointed out he was legally permitted to be present and to record the Assembly's actions.

A group of angry journalists later expressed outrage to the information chairperson of the Assembly, pointing out South Sudan, a country which formally came into existence last year but has had an interim constitution of its own since 2005, has not yet legislated clear rules on freedom of the press.

Joy Kwaje, parliamentary chairperson for information, expressed regret over the incident, and promised to investigate.