The Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) has called for reinforcement of cooperation between the media and security organs ahead of the papal visit to Juba.
This, according to the association, will enhance press freedom and access to information.
“AMDISS noticed with great concern recent incidents where some media institutions were blocked from coverage of some events. Such cases, including others, translate into an uneasy relationship between the media and government security organs,” a press statement partly reads.
“Some of these emergency cases brew mistrust among journalists and security agencies and this threatens the search for vibrant and pluralistic media in South Sudan to play an important role in connecting people to the government through the dissemination of crucial information to the public.”
The call came after an extraordinary meeting of AMDISS’s board to review the media space in the country ahead of the Pope Francis visit.
The board says for the coverage of the ecumenical visit of Pope Francis to be covered freely, the security organs must abide by law.
AMDISS, in its press statement, also appealed to journalists to adhere to code of conduct for the practice of journalism in South Sudan.
It also echoed the call for media practitioners to get the accreditation from Media Authority to cover the 3-5 February event.
In a press statement seen by The Radio Community on January 23, 2023, the Media Authority says only journalists duly accredited shall be allowed to cover the event.
Pope Francis will be accompanied by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Justine Welby and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland Rev. Iain Greenshields.
