By Matik Kueth
On Thursday, the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Juba, with media leaders urging for bold reforms, stronger cooperation, and long-term solutions to secure the country’s media sector.
The meeting brought together media managers and development partners to reflect on progress, assess challenges, and chart a path forward for an industry facing shrinking funding and growing demands for professionalism and accountability.
Ayaa Irene, AMDISS’s Director, underscored the organization’s central role in shaping professional journalism and navigating growing financial and operational challenges.
“This general assembly says that a strong AMDISS is a strong media in South Sudan, and indeed having a strong AMDISS is having a strong media in South Sudan,” Ayaa said.
She pointed to the organization’s extensive training programs and internship initiatives, which have helped shape a new generation of professional journalists across the country through mentorship and capacity-building efforts.
Josephine Achiro, AMDISS Chairperson, stressed the importance of the AGM as a platform for setting the organization’s agenda and guiding its leadership through resolutions adopted by members.
“With this gathering and the AGM discussion, it always sets us an agenda, and the board and executive activities are informed by the resolutions,” she stated.
She appealed for stronger cooperation among media stakeholders and emphasized the need for wisdom and unity in advancing the sector.
Moyiga Nduru, Commissioner for Access to Information, urged media practitioners to move beyond focusing on challenges and instead seek practical solutions, including tapping into local and regional resources for sustainability.
“You need to look for solutions. I usually tell people, don’t be a beggar, it is bad to be poor,” he urged.
He further appealed for investment in the media sector and challenged societal norms that prioritize other expenditures over development initiatives.
Meanwhile, Deputy Country Director of the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), Michael Ouku, commended AMDISS for its resilience despite declining global funding and increasing operational challenges.
“As we meet here, I would like to encourage you to think of how best we can generate resources to sustain this great organization,” he said.
He underlined the importance of professionalism and accountability in journalism, especially at a time when the media plays a crucial role as the voice and conscience of society.
The AGM, a key annual event for AMDISS, serves as a platform for reviewing reports, strengthening transparency, and setting strategic priorities for the organization, as stakeholders work to ensure a more sustainable and independent media landscape in South Sudan.