The Association of media development in South Sudan (AMDISS) has welcomed the decision of the national security service to allow the reopening of Eye Radio.
It says the decision shutting down the radio on November 11, 2016 by the order of the national security service “created a darkness of cloud for citizens from getting information, education and entertainment at the time they are requiring enlightenment as the country undergoes the process of peace building”.
Eye Radio, according to AMDISS’ November 21, 2016 statement, is a symbol that embraces principle of plurality and diversity of the meaning of media in a democratic setting.
The statement commends the decision of the government to allow the return to air of the station, describing it “a promotion of the freedom of expression and press”.
“It is also a clear sign of government acknowledging the importance of media in South Sudan from doing its work”, the statement further reads in part.
It called on the authorities to embrace dialogue with the media whenever there are issues of mutual concerns and cease unilateral acts and interference in the media work. The authorities, it recommends, should create conducive environment for media to play its role.
The statement further called on the authorities to allow reopening of the other media still shut down and not permitted to resume operation, citing the Nation Mirror newspaper as among the newspapers the authorities should reconsider their decision and allow their resumption.
“The association also calls on the security to reopen other media houses that are still shut down, for example the nation mirror newspaper and use dialogue to amicably resolve any might have led to the shutdown of the paper”, it adds.