The Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) and the Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS) have embarked on developing a guide as South Sudan gears for the December elections.
The document, which is yet to be validated, is aimed at providing professional, ethical and democratic coverage of elections. It also includes guidelines for the protection of journalists before, during and after elections.
Speaking on Friday during a review of the document in Juba, AMDISS Director Irene Ayaa said developing the guide was part of the media preparation for the elections.
According to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, South Sudan should conduct its first election on December 22. However, Ayaa said the question of whether or not there will be elections is not for the media to answer.
“This exercise is just part of our preparation for an election, which is coming in December this year. The question of whether the election will happen or not is beyond us as the media,” Ayaa said.
“We have to prepare because if the election is going to take place, then it has to find us ready,” she said.
The AMDISS Director said the election guide was paramount to ensure professionalism in covering the whole process.
“We know that the election will involve different parties. So, journalists have to be fair to all of them,” she said.
Ayaa explained that the six-chapter document, nearing completion, also has an article on being independent from political parties.
She suggested that the media should distance itself from business people who might want to invest in the elections.
“We have articles that also prohibit journalists from accepting bribes. We know, for sure, that during elections there will be candidates or political parties who would like to be covered more or favorably. But as a matter of principle, we are not supposed to accept bribes.”
The AMDISS director disclosed that one of the challenges is the lack of financial support, especially for the media houses to facilitate their journalists during the election period.
“I see a lot of institutions now investing in the training of journalists for the election. I am sure by the time of the election comes; journalists would have been well equipped with the skills and knowledge. What I know is that training alone is not enough. The aspect of resources is just as critical,” she said.