By Matik Kueth
As misinformation and ethical pressures continue to challenge South Sudan’s media landscape, a new initiative is placing young journalists at the center of the response.
The Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) has unveiled the first cohort of the Young Journalists Media Integrity Fellowship (YJMIF), a two-month program designed to equip emerging media practitioners with the skills needed to uphold accuracy, accountability, and responsible digital engagement.
The fellowship runs from 12th January to 13th March, 2026 and brings together five fellows based in Juba.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, the inaugural cohort reflects a mix of broadcast, print, freelance, and digital media backgrounds, an intentional approach aimed at strengthening the country’s broader information ecosystem.
The fellows are:
- Gabriel Gatluak Wal Ket (Gabuu Myles) of King Media, an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker, was recognized with the IGAD Media Awards 2025 for Digital Media.
His work spans peacebuilding, climate change, and youth empowerment.
- Kiden Naome Joseph of City FM Radio is a Mass Communication graduate and radio presenter known for investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, and digital advocacy.
- Ajah Jennifer Mayen of The City Review Newspaper, a multimedia journalist and University of Juba student focusing on women’s rights, education, and climate change.
- Aliseo Aweye Teddy Onamn is a digital media enthusiast with a strong interest in media ethics, fact-checking, and countering misinformation.
- Dhel Malith Chol, a communications and digital media professional with experience in public communication, youth programs, and digital rights initiatives.
Throughout the fellowship, participants will undergo intensive training in media ethics, election fact-checking, digital safety, misinformation monitoring, and responsible online engagement.
The program combines mentorship with hands-on assignments, encouraging fellows to produce practical outputs that support credible public information and a more informed electorate.
The fellowship forms part of EFSS’s Electoral Fact-checking Initiative South Sudan, supported through the Innovation Fund for Citizen Participation in Electoral Processes in Africa.
The initiative responds to growing concerns around disinformation, limited fact-checking capacity, and ethical challenges affecting both traditional and digital media platforms.
Commenting on the launch, Project Manager Jibi Moses Daniel said the fellowship represents a timely investment in the future of journalism in South Sudan.
“This cohort was chosen for more than their skills; they demonstrated a clear commitment to ethical journalism and public-interest reporting. Strengthening media integrity starts with empowering young professionals who care about truth and responsibility,” he said.
The YJMIF is implemented by EFSS with support from AfricTivistes, under the AHEAD Africa and Digitalize Youth projects led by the Digital Democracy Initiative.
The partnership brings together regional expertise in digital rights, civic engagement, and media development, aligning local realities with wider African digital democracy efforts.
Beyond individual training, EFSS says the fellowship aims to contribute to a broader movement that promotes democratic values, youth leadership, and access to credible information across Africa.
As the first cohort embarks on its fellowship journey, EFSS reaffirmed its belief that ethical journalism is essential for accountability, informed citizenship, and peaceful coexistence in South Sudan.
The organization congratulated the selected fellows and encouraged other young journalists and digital practitioners to remain engaged for future opportunities.
The launch of the YJMIF’s first cohort, EFSS says, is more than a program milestone; it is a signal of hope for a stronger, more trustworthy public sphere in South Sudan