South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai has encouraged the Media Authority, a regulatory body created by South Sudan government, to consolidate press freedom and coordinate with media houses across the country.

The Spokesperson in the Office of the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, Choul Laam told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that the First Vice President met with the managing director of the regulatory body Justin Alier on Wednesday in Juba where they discussed challenges facing the media in the world’s youngest nation.

Laam further said the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai asked the Media Authority to allow press freedom, adding that Gai promised to assist in terms of capacity building for members of the media regulatory body.

“We in the government should allow and encourage all media houses to operate freely. The media should also disseminate accurate information in the country,” he said.

Laam pointed out that the First Vice President also advised the Media Authority to coordinate media matters rather than imposing censorship or media restrictions.

Justine Alier said in a statement to South Sudan Broadcasting Cooperation on Wednesday that they agreed with the country’s First Vice President to regulate the media sector.

In July, South Sudan’s government blocked access to Radio Tamazuj and other three media outlets over claims of “hostile reporting.”

Authorities in Abyei area have also issued a decision suspending the activities of the Abyei Information and Radio Service (AIRS).