UNESCO has pledged ongoing support to South Sudan’s media sector through a training session aimed at enhancing journalists’ skills. The session addressed issues such as hate speech, ethical reporting, and sustainability in the media industry. Key figures, including Mr. Paul Night and Mary Ajith, emphasized the importance of collaboration among media professionals in preparation for the upcoming 2026 elections.
UNESCO has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting media professionals in South Sudan in light of the numerous challenges they experience. During a two-day training session held in Wau, which included media managers and editors from the states of Western Bahr el-Ghazal, Warrap, Northern Bahr el-Ghazal and Lakes, Mr. Paul Night, representing the UNESCO Country Director, emphasized their dedication to assisting journalists in enhancing their professional skills. “We are pleased to have you all here. We know the challenges that you face at your stations, and we are trying our best with our partners, the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), and many others to help you build your capacities,” articulated Mr. Night. The training accommodated 30 participants and focused on crucial topics such as combating hate speech, promoting gender-responsiveness in reporting, applying conflict-sensitive reporting techniques, fact-checking, and adhering to ethical reporting standards. Mr. Night further highlighted the operational difficulties of community radio stations, noting the issues related to human resources and financial management. He remarked, “We know that the community radio stations in South Sudan have challenges in terms of human resources and financial management. Many individuals come and then leave, seeking better opportunities, leading to a lack of sustainability.” He urged attendees to enhance their knowledge and skills, especially with the forthcoming elections in 2026 necessitating high-quality reporting. Mary Ajith, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), called on journalists to work collaboratively to tackle hate speech, stating, “For media management, countering hate speech and misinformation and disinformation is something that you can do collaboratively, not in competition. The unity of the media is important as we talk about elections.” Further, she noted the significant role of media in the electoral process, emphasizing its necessity for effective public discourse. Samuel Nicola, the Information Minister for Western Bahr el-Ghazal State, reinforced the purpose of the training, indicating that it was crafted to bolster participants’ abilities in information management, promote ethical journalism, and advocate for the rights of media practitioners. He assured the journalists of the state’s support, stating, “This workshop has been designed to strengthen your ability and capacity in managing information as well as promoting ethical journalism and advocating the rights of all media personnel…”
The article focuses on the support provided by UNESCO to media professionals in South Sudan, particularly in the context of training aimed at enhancing the skills and ethical standards of journalists. Given the imminent elections, the importance of quality reporting and the collaborative efforts among media professionals to counter issues such as hate speech and misinformation are emphasized. This context is critical as South Sudan continues to navigate challenges within its media landscape, including sustainability and capacity building.
In summary, UNESCO’s continued support for media managers in South Sudan is vital in addressing the challenges they face, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 elections. The training provided aims to improve reporting quality and ethical standards while encouraging collaborative efforts among journalists to combat hate speech and misinformation. By fostering these skills and promoting unity in media practice, the hope is to enhance the overall integrity of journalism in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
