The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), Warrap state branch, on Saturday, conducted a one-day training session at Dr. Justin Yaach’s Hall in Kuajok town. The training aimed to enhance the capabilities of 25 local journalists and nine senior government officials in effectively addressing and avoiding the pitfalls of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and propaganda.
The UJOSS branch office organized the training with support from the state government. Journalists from Mayardit FM in Twic County, as well as journalists from Gogrial West County, Gogrial East County, and Warrap state radio, along with officials from the state government, attended the training.
During the opening address, Agem Akot, Warrap state Minister of Cabinet Affairs, emphasized the vital role of journalists in a democratic country. He acknowledged their responsibility in providing accurate information about candidates and their objectives to the citizens, enabling them to make informed decisions during elections. Minister Akot also highlighted the constitutional rights of journalists to access and disseminate information.
“While freedom of speech and expression is enshrined in our constitution, it is important to recognize that freedom comes with responsibilities,” stated Minister Akot. “As citizens of Warrap, let us prioritize the public interest by ensuring the credibility and accuracy of our stories. Avoid distorting facts to serve personal agendas or tarnish the reputation of others.”
Daniel Mareng, the Warrap state UJOSS coordinator and lead facilitator, explained the content of the training and urged journalists to avoid reporting misleading stories. The workshop aimed to equip journalists with the necessary skills to combat misinformation, disinformation, and fake news in their profession.
“We gathered 25 journalists from three counties—Twic, Gogrial West, and Gogrial East—along with government officials from the headquarters,” said Mareng. “The workshop’s objective was to engage and educate journalists on combating misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and other unethical practices in their journalistic work within Warrap state.”
Mareng emphasized the importance of equipping local journalists with news tips that would enable them to perform their work accurately and efficiently. He also highlighted the workshop’s significance in educating journalists about propaganda and fake news, empowering them to verify information and avoid falling into such traps.
“As journalists, our aim is to work independently and without political influence, delivering accurate information for the betterment of our society. This enables citizens to stay informed and make their own informed decisions,” added Mareng.
The participants expressed their gratitude for the training and requested additional training sessions. Athok Angui, a female journalist from Warrap State Radio FM 99.00, acknowledged the benefits of the workshop and how it would positively impact her work at the radio station.
“The workshop primarily focused on fake news and propaganda, and I have gained a lot from it. The facilitators provided valuable insights on tackling issues related to fake news reporting. This training will significantly contribute to my work, and I believe we need more days of training with facilitators from other countries who can share their experiences,” said Angui.
Oliver Ater, another journalist from Mayardit FM, highlighted the lessons learned from the training workshop organized by Warrap UJOSS. “We have learned how to avoid reporting fake news to our audiences and understand the detrimental effects of disseminating inaccurate information. We were also reminded not to serve the interests of politicians but to report the truth to the public,” explained Ater.