US monitoring media threats in S. Sudan, says envoy

December 7, 2013 (JUBA) - The United States government is closely monitoring South Sudan’s media environment following recent threats from authorities, its special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan said.

US special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth (US embassy photo)

Donald Booth said president Barrack Obama’s administration was against the culture of impunity, adding that media freedom must be allowed in the new nation.

His remarks follow the recent fall-out between South Sudanese authorities and the media, as former seeks control over the latter’s operation.

“We remain watchful of what is happening and support one of the fundamental issue which is [the] freedom of the press”, said Booth, appointed US special envoy in September this year.

A robust free press is one of the things that can help South Sudan to move forward, he added, further stressing that a free press serves many purposes was critical for nation-building.

Recently, there was a directive from South Sudan information ministry, which demanded that all journalists in the country register; something media practitioners have strongly opposed.

This week, however, the country’s lawmakers passed provisions of the draft media bills, a few days after journalists threatened to boycott coverage of all government activities.

The US envoy to Juba, Susan D. Page said she was equally aware journalists in the country were being threatened lately.

“We recognize that there are threats and people are afraid”, Page told reporters at the press conference.

“What we [US] are trying to do is to ensure that freedom of the press is followed as guaranteed by constitution because it is the supreme law of the land”, she added.

Article 24 of South Sudan Transitional Constitution, says “Every citizen shall have the right to the freedom of expression, reception and dissemination of information, publication, and access to the press without prejudice to public order, safety or morals as prescribed by law”.

However, section II of same article says, “All levels of government shall guarantee the freedom of the press and other media as shall be regulated by law in a democratic society”

The new nation, early this year, ranked 124 out of 148 countries, sliding 12 places from its previous position, a survey by Reporters Without Borders showed.

(ST)