The Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) and the Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS) have expressed alarm at an upsurge in cases of violence and intimidation against journalists in South Sudan in recent months.
From late December 2015 to March 2016, there were over twelve cases of threats, intimidation, detention, kidnapping, shooting, and torture of journalists, according to a Thursday statement from the two groups.
“This trend, which has emerged recently, is very dangerous to promotion of freedom of expression in general and media freedom in particular, as it grips journalists with fear and uncertainty within the media profession,” the statement read.
Among the incidents, El Tabeer columnist Joseph Afendi was abducted, beaten, and tortured between 4 and 7 March, while opinion writer for Al-Maugif newspaper Joseph Chan Awer was found unconcious on 1 March after being beaten, the statement said.
Meanwhile, a South Sudan radio staff in Wau was shot and wounded by an unknown gunman, and another radio journalist in Wau was attacked by five armed men, according to AMDISS and UJOSS. In Yambio, a journalist for a Catholic radio was detained by National Security and later released.
“Despite all these, no one has been held responsible or charged, further exacerbating the culture of impunity,” the statement read. “Crimes of this nature against journalists also constitute crimes against the rights of ordinary citizens or the general public to know and access information.”
AMDISS and UJOSS urged the relevant authorities especially the Ministries of Information, Interior, and Justice to credibly investigate the crimes, find the perpetrators, and hold them accountable.
The media rights groups further appealed to the National Assembly Select Committees of Security and Information to speak out and ensure the safety, security, and protection of journalists in South Sudan.