A South Sudanese female journalists’ body has urged the government to release a female freelance journalist with the Voice of America arrested in Juba during weekend protests.
Diing Magot was arrested along with several demonstrators who were staging a protest at the Konyo-Konyo market on Sunday over the rising g prices of essential goods.
Police arrested the journalist along with the protesters and took her to the Malakia police station before being transferred to the Juba Main Prison on Tuesday.
At the time of her arrest, Magot did not have her press card with her.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Ayaa Irene Lokang, the Chairperson of the South Sudan Female Journalists Network, said: “We call on the authorities to release the detained journalist. Magot was arrested while doing her job, so she should be released.”
She added, “Magot has not committed any offence. I appeal to the authorities to release the journalist so the Media Authority can handle the case.”
Irene said it is unacceptable that female journalists are subjected to unlawful arrests and detentions, a situation he says makes the environment unfavourable for female journalists to operate.
That call was echoed by the President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan.
“Magot should be released because this is her right to access to information like all of us have to cover stories,” said Oyet Patrick, adding that Magot should be taken to court if there is a case against her.
The US embassy in Juba issued a statement seeking the immediate release of the South Sudanese journalist.
“We affirm the right of journalists to do their jobs without interference or harm,” it said on Twitter.
Journalists in South Sudan have often complained of harassment and intimidation by the authorities. Government institutions frequently interfered in editorial matters and called journalists in for questioning.
Under South Sudan’s laws, detainees – whether arrested by the police or the security services – are accorded basic rights. The constitution provides that the detainee should be taken before a court of law within 24 hours of arrest.