Juba clarifies public media blackout on Abyei referendum campaigns

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Senior officials, including information minister Michael Makuei Lueth, have also asked editors and senior reporters from both public and independent media houses, as well as opinion writers to “observe ethics and objective” reporting. He further stressed that all media coverage should reflect public interest on issues relating to the conduct of a planned referendum to determine the fate the contested region of Abyei. “The suspension was done to allow the government [to] put in place processes for [the] Abyei referendum in an organised and responsible manner”, he said. “I have seen that the process is being abused. There are some people who just show up at the station to talk unnecessarily”, he added. Lueth said the measures are being put in place to prevent media representatives making irresponsible or incorrect statements on the issue. They (media organisations) need to be guided by allowing them to comment on the issues they think they have clear knowledge about, instead of making it an open talk show”, he said South Sudanese officials complained from the abrupt shift in the nature of the campaign for Abyei referendum saying some guests in radio and TV shows made irresponsible statements against the government, African Union and Sudanese government. Lueth, who was speaking on behalf of the government, made the remarks at a press briefing on Thursday, during which he explained that public media should not be used responsibly in order to avoid misinterpretations. “We know that there is a campaign for the people of Abyei to be mobilised to return to their homes so that they take part in the all the processes of the referendum when necessary arrangements have been [put] in place, but this mobilisation must be carried out in a responsible manner so that it avoids misinterpretations, especially when these activities are broadcast by the government media”, he said.

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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