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South Sudan joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) on 3rd May 2021 under the theme “Information as a Public Good”. This year’s national celebrations brought together stakeholders from the government, media associations, journalists, CSOs, law fraternity and academicians that tackled issues on understanding Information as Public Good, media independence and sustainability and discussed the legal and policy environment in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Windhoek declaration on promotion of media pluralism and independence.

This year’s WPFD celebrations aimed at reminding duty bearers of their responsibility to preserve freedom of expression, access to information and create an enabling environment for the journalists and public to express their views responsibly without interference. Mr. Tap Raj Pant, speaking on behalf of the UNESCO Representative in South Sudan called on the government and other stakeholders to renew their commitment to the fundamental right to freedom of expression, to defend media workers as well as join efforts in ensuring information remains a public good. In addition, the government was urged to promote access to information for everyone both online and offline through subsidizing costs and creating an environment that will enable private information owners to offer services at affordable prices.

H.E. Mr. Larry André, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at U.S. Embassy in South Sudan, called upon the South Sudanese government to do everything in its power to ensure that journalists feel protected and supported in their crucial mission of getting accurate information to the people.

Hon. Paulino Lokudu, State Minister of Information, Central Equatorial State, encouraged journalists to abide by the laws put in place to guide their work and use the media to promote peace and unity. The Minister also expressed State government commitment to promote safety and protection of journalists as they carried on their work.

The one-day discussion culminated in a number of recommendations among which included support towards  interpretation and implementation of the media laws, continued capacity building for journalists and continued sustained advocacy on issues of press freedom. Additionally, there was a call by media and legal stakeholders for the decriminalization of Defamation in the Penal Code Act 2008 from a criminal offence to a Civil Offence.

This year’s national event was jointly organized by the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), the South Sudan Female Journalists Network, National Press Club of South Sudan, local media houses and civil society organizations with support from UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme for Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists.