The chairperson of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) in Western Equatoria State, Christopher Gaaniko Ginaba, has expressed concern over online propaganda falsely implicating Yambio journalists.
Speaking during a one-day training on civic knowledge and mobile journalism organized by UJOSS with support from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Gaaniko highlighted the growing problem of misinformation targeting journalists. He raised the issue with the state’s Minister of Information and Communication, Dominic Usini, stressing the negative impact on journalists’ reputations and their relationship with the government.
“There are many online articles about sensitive issues like the situation in Tambura which falsely associate journalists in Yambio without their consent,” he said. “This misinformation damages their credibility and fosters mistrust.”
He called on the state ministry to work with UJOSS to address these challenges, noting that journalists are often victimized over content they did not produce.
For his part, Johnson John Batal, UJOSS Safety and Protection Officer, also underscored the dangers of digital crimes targeting journalists. He explained that the training aims to equip media professionals with skills to protect their digital identities.
“The rise in online crimes against journalists is alarming,” he said. “This training, in partnership with NPA, helps journalists secure their databases and safeguard their identities in the digital world.”
Meanwhile, Information Minister Usini acknowledged the journalists’ concerns and urged them to report any cases of arrest to his office for immediate follow-up.
“From now on, if any journalist is arrested, report directly to me,” he directed. “I will investigate the case and ensure it is handled appropriately, as long as it is not a personal matter.”
The Minister also pledged to collaborate with journalists to promote their safety and defend press freedom in the state.