LEER — Security authorities in Leer County, Unity State, on Saturday released a local radio journalist who had been detained for several hours following a live call-in program, according to officials and media watchdogs.
The story was first published by the popular South Sudanese news outlet Radio Tamazuj.
Chuol Mut Teny, a journalist with Leer Radio 88.0 FM, was taken into custody at around midday after hosting a routine interactive show during which a caller sent greetings to SPLA-IO General Banypiny Gatlel. Police reportedly accused the journalist of allowing the message to air.
The detention lasted approximately six hours and comes at a time of heightened political and military tensions between forces aligned with President Salva Kiir and the opposition SPLA-IO in Unity State and other regions.
Unity State’s Minister of Information and Telecommunications, Nyakenya Keah Ruai, confirmed that Chuol was released later the same day without any conditions.
“He is free now and no charges were brought against him,” Nyakenya said, explaining that both his office and the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) were initially unaware of the arrest.
According to the minister, he only learned of the incident through UJOSS and immediately contacted Leer County Commissioner James Kuol Tap, who also said he had not authorized the detention. Following the call, the commissioner ordered the journalist’s release.
UJOSS Unity State Coordinator Chondok Stephen also confirmed the incident, saying Chuol was detained at about 12 p.m. and released shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday.
“The arrest was linked to a regular morning greetings program that the station airs every day,” Stephen said. “The issue arose solely because a caller mentioned an SPLA-IO general during the broadcast.”
The incident follows a similar case earlier this month, when a journalist with Bentiu Radio 99.0 FM was arrested by the Unity State governor’s bodyguards for allegedly criticizing the governor over poor road infrastructure.
Journalists across South Sudan continue to face intimidation, censorship, and arbitrary arrests while carrying out their duties. According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, South Sudan is ranked 109th out of 180 countries.