By Matik Kueth
South Sudanese journalists on Tuesday expressed concerns over increasing restrictions on access to information, warning that these systematic barriers are weakening their ability to fulfill their roles as public watchdogs and pose a serious threat to the country’s democratic prospects ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Despite the existence of the Access to Information Act (2013), which legally guarantees citizens’ right to information, media professionals say that government institutions continue to withhold critical data, especially on governance and public spending.
In an interview with Top FM, journalists, editors, media leaders, and advocates expressed concerns about the lack of transparency, noting that it is a systemic issue influencing who gets to speak, what gets reported, and how truth is communicated to the public.
Behind the microphones and keyboards, journalists across the country are being silenced, not with threats alone, but by a wall of secrecy and silence.
Yep Joseph, a reporter with Number One-Citizen Newspaper in Juba, explained how deep the issue runs.
“If you want to report a story, let me say you want to investigate a story regarding government spending. It is very hard for you to get some of the documents. In every budget, we are supposed to know how much the executive is spending. And for instance, the office of the president. No one knows now how much the president has spent, whether from the office or homes, and the rest. No one knows,” Yep stated.
He said lack of access is not merely a professional frustration, but rather a blow to the very essence of journalism.
“There are some of the documents that one cannot get in parliament, although they are not confidential; they are supposed to be for public consumption. It is very hard for a reporter to get such information. All the stakeholders should take responsibility for ensuring that press freedom is not only for media personnel, but also for the executives or officials who are within. They should be able to inform the public. They should be able to talk. They should be able to give necessary information for public consumption,” he added.
Investigative journalism, which should serve as a watchdog over government actions and spending, is slowly being eroded in the country, with key documents and stories that could inform and empower citizens remaining untold. In 2021, multiple media outlets in Juba were denied access to audit reports from the National Audit Chamber. That same year, reporters trying to cover budget discussions at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) were barred from attending important sessions. In 2022, journalists requesting data on COVID-19 funds and foreign aid spending faced silence and bureaucratic obstacles from the Ministries of Health and Finance. Additionally, due to the recent conflict in Upper Nile state, journalists have also been unable to gather information on the ground. Simon Deng, a journalist working for the Dawn Newspaper, observed that the effects extend beyond incomplete reporting, noting that some government officials fear speaking out. He mentioned that this fear is contagious and spreads beyond government offices to academics, experts, and even ordinary citizens, who now hesitate to talk to journalists.
“Some officials fear, they assume that when they give information, at the end of the day, they will be in danger, they will be threatened. They abstain from giving necessary information that is for public consumption and that can help, that can shape the decision of the people in government,” he said.
Another journalist, Ngok Garang, a reporter with Classic FM, echoed the concerns, pointing out that the silence from government officials directly obstructs accurate reporting.
“Lack of information hampers journalists’ ability to report accurately because government officials often refuse interviews, hindering transparency and making it hard for journalists to collect data. We need structural reforms and a cultural shift toward openness for democracy and development,” he stated.
Chuol Jany, Chief Editor of the Catholic Radio Network (CRN), stressed the considerable challenges journalists face when trying to access vital information, particularly when reporting on issues such as money laundering and corruption.
“Journalists face imminent challenges due to the culture of secrecy. Sometimes, the government institutions and those working with the government, including the security agents and the ministers, other officials, are blocking journalists from getting information. Access to official information is often restricted or over-avoided, denied, with many authorities treating public information as a private matter, which is not the case,” he stressed.
He pointed out that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are not exempt from this tendency to avoid transparency.
“But also, the NGOs, international organizations, and national organizations keep on dodging the journalists when things happen that need their response. And this is a critical matter,” he explained.
However, Oyet Patrick, President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), painted a grim picture of media freedom in the country, warning that lack of access to information has effectively “grounded journalists.
He stressed that journalists face numerous barriers, including censorship, internet restrictions, government silence, and even direct intimidation from security forces.
“Lack of access means you can’t investigate; you cannot. If documents are hidden from you, statements are not given to you; whatever you get, you cannot verify it against some documents. Because when you get information from people, you need to verify against some documents, some statements from the officials. And once these things are not there, you are grounded as a journalist. This is the word I can use. You are grounded,” said Patrick.
Patrick said UJOSS is now leading a national grassroots campaign advocating for improved media access and transparency.
“These efforts are vital to ensure that South Sudan’s population is properly informed about key political processes,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Ter Manyang, a human rights activist and Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, linked the problem to wider governance issues, cautioning that lack of information hampers journalists’ ability to report accurately.
“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) has raised concerns over the limited access to public information in South Sudan, warning that it significantly hampers journalists’ ability to report accurately and comprehensively on critical national issues,” he said.
He argued that without reforms, not only journalism but democracy itself could suffer, urging authorities to supply journalists with the information they require.
“Journalists are the eyes and ears of the public. Without access to accurate and timely information, their ability to inform citizens, expose wrongdoing, and promote informed dialogue is severely constrained,” he stated.
Although the Access to Information Act (2013) guarantees citizens’ right to information, journalists in South Sudan still face practical challenges. Many government officials continue to withhold information meant for the public, citing vague risks or bureaucratic reasons. According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), South Sudan ranked 145th out of 180 countries, making it one of the most restrictive environments for journalists worldwide. The country’s press freedom ranking has stayed in the bottom 25 for over a decade, affected by censorship, arbitrary arrests, threats, and a lack of legal protection for the media workers.
As South Sudan gets ready for a constitutional review and long-awaited national elections, the need for transparency becomes even more critical. Journalists warned that without reliable access to information, meaningful citizen participation in democracy remains a distant dream.