By Yiep Joseph
The National Elections Commission (NEC) and other stakeholders have urged journalists to uphold ethical standards and reject misinformation ahead of anticipated December 2026 elections.
NEC Chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng made the call during the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), in partnership with the commission.
Bol emphasised that journalists have a significant responsibility to provide accurate, balanced and independent information, particularly during electoral periods when public demand for reliable information increases.
He said responsible reporting was essential to ensuring that citizens understand electoral processes and make informed decisions based on credible information.
The NEC chairperson also stressed the importance of using local languages to make election-related information accessible to communities across South Sudan.
“We expect journalists to report accurately, independently, and in the public interest. Journalists need to use local languages for easy understanding during elections,” Bol said.
He further encouraged journalists to familiarise themselves with electoral laws and procedures to avoid inaccurate reporting and misinterpretation of official electoral information.
Bol’s remarks highlighted the importance of cooperation between electoral institutions and the media in ensuring that citizens receive timely and reliable information.
Meanwhile, UJOSS President Oyet Patrick Charles called on journalists to recognise the professional responsibilities associated with election coverage.
Patrick emphasised the importance of consulting credible sources, verifying information and maintaining professional standards when reporting on electoral developments.
“Reporting on elections comes with responsibility; our primary source of information during elections is the Elections Commission,” he said.
He also commended the NEC for its continued support towards media development and its partnership with the journalists’ union.
Patrick’s remarks underscored the importance of maintaining professional relationships between journalists and electoral institutions while preserving the independence of the media.
Adding to the regulatory perspective, Ajou Luol Akuei, Managing Director of the Media Authority, highlighted the importance of responsible journalism and compliance with professional standards.
He stressed the need for journalists to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive political and electoral issues.
The Media Authority’s regulatory role also places professional conduct, responsible communication and adherence to established media standards at the centre of discussions about election coverage.
The workshop comes at a time when media organisations are expected to prepare for increased public demand for electoral information.
With more than 50 journalists participating, the training provides an opportunity to strengthen professional understanding of electoral laws, ethical guidelines and balanced reporting practices.
Participants are expected to benefit from discussions aimed at improving their ability to cover electoral activities without promoting misinformation, hate speech or inflammatory narratives.
The training also seeks to encourage inclusive reporting that recognises the information needs of different communities, including audiences who rely on local languages.
Election reporting requires journalists to distinguish between verified information, public opinion and unconfirmed claims. This distinction is particularly important when covering political activities and statements from different stakeholders.
Through accurate reporting and responsible information sharing, media practitioners can help citizens understand electoral developments without being exposed to misleading or unverified information.
The two-day engagement also reflects ongoing efforts by UJOSS and the NEC to strengthen cooperation between the media and electoral institutions.
As South Sudan approaches the anticipated December 2026 elections, journalists are expected to play an important role in informing the electorate, promoting transparency and facilitating public understanding of the electoral process.
The workshop therefore places renewed emphasis on the relationship between professional journalism, access to credible information and peaceful public participation.
Stakeholders maintain that journalists must uphold accuracy, impartiality and ethical responsibility throughout the electoral period to ensure that public communication remains informative and constructive.
The training is expected to contribute to stronger media preparedness as the country moves towards the anticipated elections.
The workshop brought together more than 50 journalists and media practitioners from different media organisations.