The South
Sudanese media fraternity is mourning the loss of Charles Wote, a dedicated
journalist known for his storytelling, commitment to ethical journalism, truth,
and social justice.
A reporter for
Eye Radio, Charles Wote passed away on Saturday at 10 AM at Mulago Hospital in
Kampala, Uganda, after a short illness. His body arrived in Juba on Wednesday.
Waakhe Simon
Wudu, press secretary at the office of the Governor of Central Equatoria State,
expressed the deep loss felt within the nation’s media community.
"The
nation has lost not just a voice but a conscience, a man who stood for the
people, for truth, and for justice. You were more than a journalist; you were a
beacon of light in the industry, a kind and humble soul, a true comrade of the
people,” Simon posted on his Facebook account.
Wote’s
colleagues and fellow journalists have also been left to cope with the personal
and professional void caused by his passing.
Manyuon Mayen
Manyuon, a colleague, said:
“Your
untimely departure is not just a loss to your family but to the entire
community you served so passionately. Your contributions went far beyond your
immediate circle, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives. You were more
than just a friend; you were a pillar of strength and support for many.”
Within the
media fraternity, Wote was not just a colleague but an advocate standing up for
marginalized voices.
"Your
unwavering commitment to social causes and community development inspired
people to act and strive for positive change. Beyond personal relationships,
you were truly a media buddy. You tirelessly fought for the rights of the
marginalized, ensuring that their voices were heard,” Manyuon continued.
The impact of
Wote’s work, especially on climate change and peace reporting, earned him
recognition within the media community.
Majak Daniel
Kuany Alier, secretary general of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan
(UJOSS), reflected on Wote’s contributions in the media industry.
"Your
absence will be deeply felt in conversations and movements that push for
meaningful social change. However, your legacy will live on—fueling the
passion of future generations who will carry forward the torch of advocacy,”
Kuany said in a statement.
Wote’s
remarkable reporting in areas often overlooked, such as climate change, floods,
and public financial management, earned him the 2023 UJOSS Award for Climate
Change Reporting.
Kuany further
praised Wote’s legacy within the media.
"Charles
was a beacon of ethical journalism, always committed to truth and
solution-driven reporting. His loss is deeply felt not just by the media
fraternity but by all those whose lives he touched through his work,” he
expressed.
With years of
experience in broadcast journalism, Wote specialized in feature and
human-interest stories.
He joined Eye
Radio in October 2017 as a stringer and later became the producer of The Dawn
Show hosted by Emmanuel J. Akile and a news reporter.
In June 2023,
he won a Hackathon Micro-grant Award for strengthening citizen journalism in
Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State.
He was also
recognized by the Media Development Institute in 2022 for his work on
peacebuilding.
Notably, Wote
reported on the impacts of flooding in Jonglei and Northern Bahr el Ghazal
states in 2021 and 2020.