By Matik Kueth
On Monday, media stakeholders in South Sudan called for accountability for individuals who order or commit crimes against journalists, warning that impunity continues to undermine press freedom and the safety of media workers.
In a joint statement issued ahead of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI), the media organizations urged authorities to ensure that perpetrators of violence, threats and harassment against journalists are investigated and prosecuted.
“Fighting impunity is a collective responsibility; ending it means holding those who order the commission of crimes against journalists accountable for their actions,” the statement reads.
The stakeholders, including the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), National Press Club of South Sudan (NPC-SS) and Media Mentors Network (MeMN), said journalists and media workers should carry out their professional duties without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
They called on law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities to arrest, investigate and prosecute those responsible for attacks against media practitioners rather than allowing such crimes to go unpunished.
“We call for justice for journalists and media workers against whom crimes have been committed for doing their jobs,” they noted.
The organizations also appealed for the full implementation of South Sudan’s Right of Access to Information Act and the Media Authority Act, saying journalists should have access to public records and be free to report without censorship or retaliation.
The statement further highlighted the particular challenges facing women journalists, including targeted online harassment, intimidation and gender-based discrimination in newsrooms.
The media stakeholders pledged to work together to address these threats and promote safer and more inclusive working environments for women in the media industry.
“We stand in solidarity with journalists and media workers everywhere who risk their lives to bring us the truth, and call for an end to impunity for crimes against journalists,” they stressed.
South Sudan remains a challenging environment for journalists, with media practitioners facing threats, intimidation, harassment and other forms of pressure in the course of their work.
Concerns over press freedom, access to information and the safety of journalists have persisted despite the existence of legal frameworks intended to protect media freedom and guarantee the public’s right to information.
The country has also witnessed concerns over arbitrary arrests, detention and attacks against media workers, reinforcing calls for stronger accountability and protection of journalists.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists is observed globally on November 2 each year.
Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, the day seeks to raise awareness about crimes against journalists and the need to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
South Sudan’s media stakeholders are scheduled to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 18th, 2026.