The head of South Sudan’s state media was last week suspended without pay until further notice.
James Magok Chilim, the Managing Director of South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), was suspended for “his intransigence, disobedience and incompetence” in the management of the state-owned media.
In a ministerial order seen by Radio Tamazuj on April 17, Information Minister Michael Makuei said Mr. Magok has “violated the guiding principles” of the Broadcasting Corporation Act, 2013.
Minister Makuei authorized Suzan Alphonse, the Director-General of SSBC to act as Managing Director.
For his part, James Magok said:” Yes, I received the letter of my suspension on Friday. I don’t want to comment on the letter right now because I want to give a chance to the appointing authority to make a decision.”
According to the Broadcasting Corporation Act, 2013, the Managing Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Broadcasting Corporation.
The Act says the Managing Director is removed by a vote of two-thirds of Board members who shall recommend to the information minister for referral to the cabinet. Subsection (5) also gives the Broad powers to designate or appoint an Acting Managing Director.