By Matik Kueth
The Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) has issued an apology letter on Thursday, clarifying that recent remarks made by its Director, Ayaa Irene, on SSBC TV were a slip of the tongue and were never intended to undermine the professionalism or courage of journalists covering ongoing court proceedings.
The clarification comes after journalists and media stakeholders chastised the director for claiming that journalists covering court proceedings are unprofessional during an advocacy meeting at the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology, and Postal Services on Wednesday, raising questions and concerns.
In a statement, AMDISS stressed how deeply it values the dedication of media workers who keep the public informed on issues of national interest.
It said the advocacy meeting aimed to promote an enabling environment for media freedom and highlight the critical watchdog role of journalists.
“We wish to emphasize that the statement made on air was a slip of the tongue and was not intended to undermine the professionalism, dedication, or courage of journalists covering these important proceedings,” the statement read in part.
It added, “It is worth mentioning that there were positive appeals made, including calling on the government to give full access to the journalists to report on the ongoing court proceedings.”
The media advocacy expressed concerns regarding the unauthorized circulation of a leaked court audio recording earlier this month.
While the incident highlighted the need to strengthen ethical standards in court reporting, AMDISS stated that it should not be generalized to all journalists covering the proceedings.
It further reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting independent, ethical, and responsible journalism in South Sudan, underscoring that the integrity and professionalism of the media remain at the heart of its mission.