The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJoSS), in partnership with the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN), on Tuesday launched a two-day training in Kuajok town, Warrap State, on protection mainstreaming.
The training which is supported by Nonviolent Peaceforce aims to equip journalists and human rights defenders with skills in protection mechanisms and was officially opened by Warrap State Information Minister Wol Mayom.
He said the state government is always eager to receive assistance from UJoSS and other well-wishers who build the capacity of local journalists.
“This year is critical as everybody is aware that we are waiting for the general elections and therefore our journalists should be prepared to tackle any upcoming crisis regarding our elections,” Minister Mayom stated. “Also, even if there are no elections, our journalists are supposed to be equipped with knowledge in all fields including human rights, gender-based violence, ethical reporting, and other areas such as misinformation and disinformation.”
The minister further urged UJoSS through its partners to fund human rights talk shows on radio stations in Warrap State.
Meanwhile, John Lal Chol, the director general at the Warrap State information ministry, lauded UJoSS for choosing Warrap State among other states.
“This day is a blessing from God that we have two different workshops for journalists. One is at the Volcano Hotel and the other at the Naivasha Hotel. I want to advise the participants to take the knowledge they gain from the facilitators seriously because adds to what you already know.”
For his part, Tapeng Michael Ohure, the UJoSS communication officer, said the participants will be taken through peace journalism and concepts of conflict as well as human rights issues.
“We are coming to conduct this workshop on protection mainstreaming for journalists and the human rights defenders who are part of the civil society in the state,” he explained. “We are going to take you through what it takes to be a good journalist who understands the concept of peace and the concept of conflict.”
“We will also take you through all the human rights mechanisms that will help you understand human rights issues and how you can do your work,” Ohure added.