Some journalists and media houses in South Sudan are considering various measures to protest the killing of one of their peers on Wednesday, including the possibility of a media blackout for three days, according to sources in Juba.
Journalist Peter Julius Moi was killed on Wednesday night and the perpetrators have not yet been arrested or identified. His editors at The Corporate and New Nation say they cannot identify any articles that he wrote that may have triggered the attack.
In a statement yesterday condemning the killing, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported, “Journalists are planning a media blackout for three days in protest at the killing of Moi.”
Although Radio Tamazuj received no official notification of a media blackout from either the Union of Journalists (UJOSS) or the Association for Media Development (AMDISS), sources said a meeting is planned at UJOSS today to decide further steps.
Additionally, journalists may not cover the government-organized anti-IGAD rallies scheduled for today, sources said.
Some media houses have already been suspended forcibly or on verbal orders from the National Security Service, including The Citizen, Al Rai, Nation Mirror and Free Voice.
Meanwhile, The Niles, an online outlet, already announced its own decision to suspend publishing voluntarily during a period of mourning. “In solidarity with the journalists of South Sudan, The Niles suspends publishing and reporting for three days, following the killing of our colleague Moi Peter Julius,” the media house said.
“Through silence, the journalists in South Sudan condemn the killing of journalist Moi Peter Julius. Through laying down the pens, South Sudan’s journalists denounce the intolerable situation the media is faced with in the country.”
The Niles added in an article on their website, “An incident like this cannot be tolerated as it contributes to an atmosphere of fear and intimidation and endangers free media.”
“The Niles team wishes to extend sincere condolences to Moi Peter Julius’ family and friends, and we hope that our colleagues and friends in South Sudan remain safe amidst this intolerable situation.”