GOSS to endorse Media Laws The Government of Southern Sudan-GOSS has assured members of the media in endorsing the long awaited South Sudan media laws before the end of the interim period.01 March 2011 GOSS VP Dr. Riek Machar and AMDISS Chair Jacob Akol in Media conference, Juba. [©Gurtong] By Waakhe Simon Wudu
Juba, 25th February 2011 [Gurtong]- The GOSS Vice President Dr. Riek Machar said yesterday that it is in the interest of the government to see that the media, public and the government has a free legal working environment in the coming state. Representing the GOSS President as the Chief Guest, Dr. Riek Machar pledged commitments to push the bills for final amendments. “We should push that process ahead either in the parliament or in Council of Ministers”, said the Vice President. He added that, the strength of the media can promote effective accountability and more so, check those who want to abuse power. He reiterated that no minister can stay in impunity. He was speaking during a two day conference organized by Association for Media Development in South Sudan-AMDISS. The conference brought together directors of all media houses in Southern Sudan to discuss possible ways of reinforcing the strength of the media in Southern Sudan before the interim period ends. The media bills were presented in the regional assembly, Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly-SSLA two years ago. However, they were withdrawn under the request of the President following what was described as “inconsistence” in the bills. Also present was the GOSS Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin who clarified government efforts to ensure that the new state of South Sudan has the media law passed before July 2011. Dr. Barnaba assured the independent media team of no further delay in amending and passing the media bill. He said “the media fraternity, government and the public may all need this law,” but it will be good if we have it done properly.” The Minister further ensured the delegates that the law shall be passed before July 2011. “We will make sure that the media law is out before July”, said Marial. In another related development, the Committee Chairperson of Information in the SSLA Hon. Joy Kwaje additionally reinforced Dr. Marial’s statement in which she said; “we would like to have a legal frame work that should protect journalist but also give a better face for future Southern Sudan”. She also underscored the importance of an independent media in an up coming state that needs a lot in terms of nation building. AMDISS Chairperson Jacob Akol described the attendance in the conference by the Vice President, Information Minister and the SSLA Legislator before the Southern Sudanese Independent senior journalists “timely” towards professional development of the Independent media in South Sudan. Among some of the senior journalists in attendance were; the Khartoum Monitor Proprietor Alfred Taban Logune, Nyial Bol-Editor-in-Chief of Citizen Daily News paper, William Ezekial of Sudan Tribune Newspaper, Charles Rihan of Bi-weekly Juba Post newspaper, and Victor Lugala of Sudan Radio Service among many. Posted in: Home -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
