By Chol D. Johnson
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) on Wednesday held a one-day engagement workshop between the media and police sector in Juba.
Organised by UJOSS with support from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), the workshop brought together more than 40 participants from media houses, freelance journalists and police information departments.
Joyce Maker, from NPA’s civil society development programme on media rights, said the purpose of the workshop was to foster dialogue between the media sector and law enforcement agencies. “The main reason we are gathered here today is to have a dialogue between the media sector and our law enforcement agencies,” she said.
Maker stressed that the media plays a critical role in informing the public, amplifying voices, promoting accountability and contributing to public debate. She added that journalists must be able to work in a free and safe environment while carrying the responsibility to report ethically, accurately and in line with existing laws and professional standards.
She noted that police and other security agencies also carry the mandate of maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, and safeguarding national security. “I feel that dialogue can solve even the greatest problems. We are here in this world with all the turmoil we are having,” she said.
Maker emphasized that the forum provides a crucial space for media and police to bridge gaps, dismantle misconceptions and build mutual respect. “Let’s be open to discuss concerns, particularly around harassment of journalists, restrictions on their work, and the safety challenges reporters face in the field, especially during sensitive operations or public events,” she said.
She added that NPA believes a free, responsible and protected media is the cornerstone of peacebuilding and democratic governance.
Majak Kuany Alier, UJOSS Secretary General, said journalists most frequently interact with police compared to other security organs, since police are directly responsible for maintaining law and order. “It is essential that police are not only important to the work of journalists but to every citizen in this country,” he said.
Kuany explained that misunderstandings between journalists and police make dialogue necessary. “It builds and shares understanding of journalists’ rights and police responsibilities. Our role as journalists is to provide information to everybody, including the police, whereas the police provide protection and safety for everybody,” he said.
He added that the workshop promotes transparency and accountability in public information management. “Police will now be able to gather information that journalists are producing, share it with leadership, and we convey the information,” Kuany said.
He assured that there should be no harassment, detention or mistreatment from either journalists or police, and stressed impartiality and fairness in addressing grievances. He noted that the Media Authority is mandated by law to regulate the work of the media, and unresolved issues can be taken to court for fair adjudication.
Lt. Col. Martha John Matien, head of the media department in the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), said the police are responsible for protecting and securing the public. “It is the police’s responsibility to protect and secure the public and journalists, guided by law,” she said.
John noted that some journalists fail to follow media ethics when covering stories, which has led to misunderstandings with police. “There are sensitive stories which cannot be reported immediately, but journalists need the information,” she said.
She concluded that cooperation between journalists and police is essential to ensure both sectors work in accordance with the law.