Media practitioners and government officials gathered in Juba on Thursday to celebrate the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
On 17 November 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) made history by declaring 28 September International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
The event was organized by UNESCO under the theme “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.”
Speaking during an event in Juba, Dr. Jacob Maiju Korok, deputy minister of information, said access to information is a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance in any given country.
“In our journey towards building a just, transparent, and accountable society, the right to access information is not merely a privilege, it is a cornerstone that upholds our democracy, empowers our citizens, and strengthens our institutions,” he said.
Julius Banda of UNESCO said access to information empowers citizens to be well-informed about the political processes and participate in the decision-making process.
“So we need to be reminded of that dimension as well, and try to broaden access to information by investing in the public and community radios across the country, not just in South Sudan,” he stated. “So, SSBC needs to be thinking of how it can reach the whole country, not just Juba.”
For his part, Oliver Mori Benjamin, the TNLA spokesman, said media houses are permitted to transmit parliamentary sitting live to listeners or viewers.
“We are even asking our journalists and our friends here standing before me with their cameras that now the sittings of parliament are open and anybody can come there and transmit it live from the sitting to your listeners or viewers on television,” he said.