A memorial service for five South Sudanese journalists who were killed in an ambush by unknown attackers in Raja County was held on Friday.
At least five journalists working for state-run media in Western Bahr al Ghazal State were among 13 people killed in an attack carried out by unidentified assailants in January.
Unknown gunmen had opened fire on a two-car convoy carrying the Raja County Commissioner James Benjamin and journalists of Raja Radio and South Sudan TV/Radio Wau branch.
The memorial service was organized by journalists and other staff working with the State Ministry of Information and Communications, a local journalist said.
John Michael Musa, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, told Radio Tamazuj that the programme was initiated by the journalists to remember their colleagues who died in the ambush.
“The ministry’s staffs have collected contributions to slaughter a bull for the event. They invited their relatives and other media houses, so everything is ready, and the programme would start today afternoon,” he explained in an interview on Friday.
Michael, who is also deputy director of programmes at the state-run TV, said the event was scheduled to include prayers, speeches by officials and the journalists’ union and families of the deceased.
Press freedom
Separately, John Michael complained about restrictions on freedom of expression in the state.
“There are issues that are not allowed to be discussed by the authorities. However, there are social and cultural topics that can be discussed freely,” he said.
“For instance, when you talk about issues pertaining to security, you could be accused of trying to undermine public order,” he explained.