By Matik Kueth
The Minister of Information, Michael Makuei, has cautioned journalists against confusing their professional roles with their personal conduct, warning that such mix-ups are behind many clashes between media practitioners and the law.
Makuei, who spoke at the Media Stakeholders Forum on Freedom of Expression and Civic Space on Tuesday, Makuei drew a clear line between journalism as a profession and individual behavior, stressing that legal protections only apply when one is acting in a professional capacity.
“When you fall into conflict with the law, you need to know first in what capacity you were acting. If you are acting as a journalist, then you have the right and you will be protected by the laws and everything. But if you are acting as a person, as an individual, then you face the law,” Makuei stated.
He underlined that ethical standards and professionalism remain the backbone of credible journalism, cautioning against the temptation to publish unverified or sensitive information, particularly on social media.
“For me to be a journalist, it doesn’t mean that I have the right to write whatever I think should be written. Whenever I come across any information, and without counterchecking it, I just rush it and put it on social media or to the public. This is not acceptable,” he said.
Makuei minister added that careless reporting not only misleads the public but can also endanger national security.
“There is even sensitive security information that, when you come across it, you don’t need to talk about it. If you happen to come across them, keep them to yourself,” he warned.
He urged journalists to take extra caution before publishing, verifying facts thoroughly to avoid spreading false or misleading narratives.
The information minister’s appeal comes amid ongoing debates over press freedom in South Sudan, where journalists often walk a tightrope between exercising their rights to press freedom and navigating state restrictions.