JUBA – The South Sudan government has blocked all independent media from covering the legal proceeding against seven SPLM/A-IO officials including Dr. Riek Machar, granting coverage only to the state-owned broadcaster SSBC.
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) has condemned the decision to block reporters from covering the hearing, saying it undermines press freedom and open justice.
According to UJOSS, journalists who went to cover Monday’s court session in Juba were denied entry and informed that only South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) reporters would be allowed access.
UJOSS President Oyet Patrick Charles described the move as a direct attack on press freedom guaranteed under articles 24 and 32 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan.
He said it was “dismaying” that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, which should be protecting the constitution, was facilitating such restrictions.
UJOSS called on the government to immediately grant access to all journalists to cover Riek Machar’s trial and other cases of public interest.