National Security Service officers closed down Eye Radio FM in Juba midday on Friday without giving reasons.
“I want to tell you, three officers from the National Security came to the station and closed Eye Radio and they locked the three studios and went with the keys. They also ordered all the journalists to leave the station immediately,” said a senior Eye Radio journalist.
Journalists left the station carrying their belongings. Eye Radio itself confirmed the closure today but did not say why.
A notice published by Eye Radio on its website, Facebook and Twitter accounts just around noon reads, “OFF-AIR: This is to inform you our esteemed listener that Eye Radio will unfortunately be shutting down its broadcast today for reasons beyond our control.”
“We apologize for any inconveniences caused to you,” the station added.
Eye Radio is a popular radio station in the South Sudanese capital Juba with a number of FM repeaters elsewhere in the country in several key towns.
Update, 18:00: Eye Media’s CEO Stephen Omiri has released a statement on the shutdown of Eye Radio. He says the senior management of Eye Radio is “following up with authorities with the view to immediately resolve this matter.” The full statement can be viewed below.