The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) does not have the power to shut down social media sites, according to the Media Authority.
Elijah Alier, managing director of the media regulatory body, made the clarification weeks after the SPLM threatened to shut down social media in response to the misuse of social media.
“The SPLM party doesn’t have the capacity to control the media. There are institutions tasked with this role,” Alier stated during a press briefing on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Alier emphasized the profound influence of politicians and religious leaders, emphasizing the weight their words carry.
He urged them to exercise wisdom in their positions and to distinguish between constructive criticism and inflammatory rhetoric.
“This is one of the issues. [misuse of influence]. Politicians and religious leaders are influencers; they speak to people, and people listen to them. But we urge them to be mindful about it [influence],” he said.
“They have to differentiate constructive criticism and defamatory rhetoric. Therefore, when issues of responsibility come in, issues to do with the media lie only with the media authority.”
In early December, SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both had warned of a potential social media shutdown, citing concerns over misinformation threatening public safety.
"We have the capacity to shut down social media in South Sudan," Lam asserted, expressing the party's willingness to take action if online platforms became a threat to the SPLM.
Kuany countered this by citing the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression and media independence.
He instead advised citizens to refrain from misusing social media and to use the platforms responsibly.
“Let us use social media to showcase the best of our nation, our resilience, our culture, our achievement, and our unwavering spirit. As we move forward, let us embrace the culture of peace and tolerance. Let every click, every share, and every force reflect our commitment to building a prosperous South Sudan,” Alier stated.
Addressing the rapid growth of social media usage in South Sudan over the past three years, Kuany reminded citizens of their influential role in shaping public discourse.
He stressed the importance of verifying information before sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
“To every citizen with a smartphone or social media account, you are an influencer in your own right. The rapid growth of social media usage in South Sudan over the last three years means that your posts, circulation, and comments have real-world implications. We must verify information before sharing it,” he advised.
“Our country's future depends not just on the decisions made in government offices but on the daily choices made by each of us on our social media platforms. Together, we can transform social media from a potential source of division into a powerful tool for national development and unity. The choice and the responsibility lie with each of us.”
The Media Authority advised media houses to uphold journalistic integrity by verifying information and fact-checking to combat the spread of misinformation.
It also reminded civil society organizations to be cautious in amplifying political statements that could incite violence, urging them to focus on promoting peace, unity, and constructive dialogue.
The Media Authority advocates for responsible social media use, aiming to balance the constitutional rights of freedom of expression with the need to maintain public safety and social harmony.