The Juba Monitor journalist arrested last Friday while covering a protest by the University of Juba students over the country’s hyperinflation was released last evening.
Journalist Bullen Bala was arrested by the National Security Service and placed under detention.
Anna Nimiriano, the Editor in Chief of the Juba Monitor Newspaper told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that Bullen Bala was released on bail.
“Bullen was released on bail yesterday after spending three days in prison, and on top of that there were no clear charges l against him,” she said.
Nimiriano urged the national security organs to respect media laws that protect journalists while doing their job.
The Media Authority Act 2013 prohibits the unlawful arrest, detention, harassment, intimidation, and torture of journalists.
“I want to urge the government and especially the national security to respect the freedom of journalists to operate in the field because this is making many journalists see the career as a threat yet they love what they do,” Nimiriano added.
Many rights groups have condemned the continued arrest, intimidation, detention, and censorship of journalists making the media environment hostile for journalists to operate. Many journalists have either abandoned the trade or fled the country for safety.