The future of South Sudan’s media sector remains uncertain after the US State Department halted USAID-funded projects globally, according to the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS).
AMDISS warned that the sudden withdrawal of support has raised alarm bells for the country’s media, with fears that essential community-based outlets could be lost.
Irene Ayaa, AMDISS Director, said most community-based media outlets have relied heavily on USAID funding.
“The sudden withdrawal threatens their survival and could severely limit their ability to provide crucial information, especially as the country prepares for its first General Election,” she said.
Ms. Ayaa added that some media houses may struggle to continue operations.
“Some may downsize—for example, producing only two articles instead of 10—or reduce their operating hours. Staff may leave or be laid off, which would directly impact access to information for the people of South Sudan,” she explained.
Patrick Oyet, President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), said the funding cuts would have far-reaching consequences beyond media organizations.
“Many journalists have already lost their jobs due to the cuts. The absence of professional journalists will hinder civic education efforts, particularly around voter registration,” Mr. Oyet said.
He warned that more than 60% of the country’s media sector, including radio stations that depend heavily on USAID support, could collapse.
“What about people in rural areas who rely on community radio stations broadcasting in their local languages? If these stations close, they will be completely cut off from the world,” he said.
“As UJOSS, we are concerned not only about job losses for our colleagues but also about communities losing access to vital information.”
The funding freeze has already had a significant impact on several news outlets. Chuol Jany, an editor at the Catholic Radio Network, described the challenges his organization faces:
“This freeze has directly affected our ability to operate effectively due to limited resources for essential programs. If the cuts continue, we may have to make difficult decisions, such as laying off staff and reducing broadcast coverage,” he said.
Other major media organizations, including Eye Radio and The Radio Community, which operates multiple stations, are also grappling with the implications of the funding withdrawal.
With South Sudan preparing to hold its first General Election in December 2026, the loss of critical media outlets could severely undermine civic education and democratic engagement efforts.
Amid limited resources and growing uncertainty, the future of South Sudan’s media remains in jeopardy.