Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei Lueth has instructed pro-government media to stop publishing and broadcasting hate speech and hostile propaganda. He says his government is now for peace and urges the media to be friendly.

Makuei explained the new policy on Thursday at a news conference in Juba saying, “As of now that language must change because whatever happens in this world is usually inflated by the media. I know those who among you are pro and against the government.”

“As of now, let us change the language: if you are supporter of the government, don’t write any other unhealthy language. We don’t want any further hostile propaganda, we don’t want hate speech in the radios,” Makuei.

He referred to call-ins at FM stations where people can say what they want on-air sometimes without being stopped by the program presenter. “What you are doing in direct call and everybody will say nonsense make stop. Because it is these contacts with you make directly in air by telephones in your radios that cause us problems,” he said.

“We don’t want such program to continue unless you are sure of the person you talk to. If you continue to allow those who use that language, we will be on your neck. Yes, let us be clear, we have accepted peace, we are for peace and we don’t want anybody to say whatever against the other but let us talk the language of peace,” he added.

South Sudan has more than 30 FM radio stations operating in areas under government control and several daily newspapers distributed in Juba which are owned by government officials. There are no FM radio stations in South Sudan under rebel control.

Media are considered “not free” in South Sudan by the NGO Freedom House, a research organization that monitors media freedom around the world.