(UNMISS) Media & Spokesperson Unit Communications & Public Information Office MEDIA MONITORING REPORT
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United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Media & Spokesperson Unit Communications & Public Information Office MEDIA MONITORING REPORT THURSDAY, 04 JULY 2013 SOUTH SUDAN • Parliament summons security bosses on harassement and detention (Gurtong) • UJoSS delegation forms branch in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State (Gurtong) • Abductees arrive in Aweil from Sudan following community dialogue forum (Gurtong) • Illegal tax collectors arrested in Aweil (Gurtong) • Western Equatoria State vows no long speeches for independence celebrations • Western Equatoria receives independence celebration money (Anisa Radio) OTHER HIGHLIGHTS • UN USG for peacekeeping to hold a press staekout in Khartoum (African Press Organisation) • UNISFA suspends flights after rebel attack on Kadugli airport – report (Sudantribune.com) • Sudan reacts uneasily to ouster of Egypt’s Morsi from presidency (Sudantribune.com) COMMENTS/ STATEMENTS • Joint Sudan, South Sudan statement on current crisis (Sudan Vision) LINKS TO STORIES FROM THE MORNING MEDIA MONITOR • Five heads of state confirmed for South Sudan’s 2nd independence anniversary (Sudantribune.com) • MPs summon one governor, five ministers over harassments (Catholic Radio Network) • MPs pass Oil Revenue Bill to third reading (Catholic Radio Network) • South Sudan suspends radio station for criticizing government (Reuters) • Media, rights entities protest closue of Lakes state radio (Sudantribune.com) • Allowances for South Sudan police to increase in 2014 (Sudantribune.com) • Warrap government sets up a prosecution-immune anti-cattle force (Eye Radio) • Jonglei Ministry of Local Government launches strategic plan (Gurtong) • Over 1,000 leave Komou Boma over hunger threat (Emmanuel Radio) NOTE: Reproduction here does not mean that the UNMISS Communications & Public Information Office can vouch for the accuracy or veracity of the contents, nor does this report reflect the views of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Furthermore, international copyright exists on some materials and this summary should not be disseminated beyond the intended list of recipients. Highlights Parliament summons security bosses on harassment and detention of MPs Gurtong Juba, 04/07/13 - The South Sudan National Assembly yesterday passed a resolution summoning the Central Equatoria State’s Governor and four other Ministers over what it had earlier on termed as “lack of respect and protection” to MPs by security operatives. The resolution was reached after a motion was presented to the House by Hon. Anne Lino Wuor following illegal detention of one of the MPs in the National August House last week by security officials of CES’s Clement Wani Konga. Maj. Gen. Clemen Wani, Security Minister Oyai Deng, Minister in the office of the President Hon. Emmanuel Lowila, Interior Minister Alison Manani and the Minister of Cabinet Affairs to explain as to why security officials are behaving in such a manner. The House has demanded Konga to explain as to why his House has turned into a detention place and even for traffic issues. The parliamentarians had called all the Executive Post Holders to inform their staff to respect and treat MPs with dignity when visiting their offices. They also called the Commanders of different units in the army, organized forces and security must ensure discipline among the soldiers, especially on the roads, house guards and body guards. Hon. John Badeng last week told parliamentarians that he was released by the security officers of Konga after detention for three hours. He was arrested while driving along Bilpham road to the assembly. After he left way for the Governor’s convoy to take over the road he alleged one of the security vehicles came and knocked his car, later dragged him and pushed him into their car. He alleged to have been bitten by the security before he was thrown into their car. After the issue was raised last week to the August House, parliamentarians described it as “unfortunate” and “lack of disrespect and protection” to them by security forces in the capital and the country at large as it is not the first of its kind. MPs said the issue is a repetition and that it needs attention. The issue draw massive attention after one of the MPs said if an MP with immunity can be mishandled in such a manner how about the ordinary citizens without immunity. The four senior government officials are expected to appear in the House next week. (Back to Top) UJoSS delegation forms branch in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Gurtong Aweil, 01/07/13 - The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) visited Northern Bahr el Ghazal state to inspect the journalists’ conditions and assess the situation of whether there is a proper link of communication between the government officials and the media houses operating in the state. The officials also used the opportunity to form a branch office that shall represent the union, handle journalists’ related issues and follow affairs to do with journalists’ protection and safety. The delegation was headed by UJOSS chairperson Oliver Modi, the deputy chairperson Cicilia Joseph and accompanied by Norwegian People’s Aid Program Coordinator for Media Mr. Boboya James who were warmly received and briefed by the state Information and Communication Ministry. The officials received updates on freedom of expression, access to information, rights of expressing one self, free from intimidations, harassment, threats, among other things. 2 While briefing the delegates at the ministry’s hall, the director for Information and communication in the state’s ministry of information and communication, Mr. Bakhit Garang Akech praised the decision of having thought to extend the services of professionalism to his state underscoring that the chance shall not be reckless utilized without proper investment that has no gain for the young journalists who preferred risking for media role during this hard time; and promised the government commitment in working hand in hand with the new office. “The tour of coming to Northern Bahr el Ghazal is not of no cause and influence but of technical influence of building strong media nation-South Sudan to be. I want to assure you that the government is every ready to support and to help young journalists grow further in pursuing for an international standards of reporting through accuracy and non-influential methods of reporting,” Bakhit said. In the formation of new branch office in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, a five-body executive committee was elected on Saturday comprising of journalists from both private and government owned media houses. Abraham Agoth was elected the chairperson of NBGS Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) deputizes by Amjima Maker, while Bul Bul becomes the Secretary of the Union deputizes by Garang Achuol and Rose Ayen was elected a secretary for Finance and deputizes by Peter Dhum. While addressing the new office in Aweil, the chairperson of UJOSS Mr. Oliver Modi encouraged both the elected journalists and non-elected to take up the challenge of the career and bridge the gap between the community and government and as well becoming professional and transparent journalists so that the union stands by their side should there happen intimidation or harassment while serving the public with day to day information not on personal crime or other offenses punishable by the law. Modi also urged the rest of the journalists to register with new office in Aweil and become part of protection and safety granted by the union. (Back to Top) Abductees arrive in Aweil from Sudan following community dialogue forum Gurtong Aweil, 04/07/13 - The Authorities of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state received more than 30 abductees who were forcefully taken to the bordering Sudan’s states of Southern Kordofan and Eastern Darfur. The abductees were taken during the fights that erupted last year and earlier this year between the nomadic tribes of Rezeigat and Misseriya with their counterparts of Northern Bahr el Ghazal that borders those states. The deputy governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state government Salva Chol Ayat says he is glad to welcome back the victims and wishes them a quick recovery from those bad memories when they were enslaved in Sudan. “I am glad to welcome you back to your motherland after several months of absence in the state or in your homes or mothers’ homes. It has been very bad moment for each one of you while still in North but now today you finally relieved from those bad memories of whether you won’t one day meet with your parents, relatives and so on,” he said. The abductees will be assisted to get back and reunite with their relatives and parents for the next few days. Meanwhile the accompanying tribal leader from Eastern Darfur who voluntarily collected the abductees from various places of residence and brought together for dispatch back to their country says that abductees are brought because the Rezeigat and Misseryia are committed for the peaceful neighbourhood with Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. “We are committed for peace with NBGS and that’s why I personally accompanied the abductees so that I officially hand them over to their government as I did today. We have many things in common with NBGS and WBGS that bind us together hence should not 3 provoke our coexistence,” said Mamoud Abakar the head of tribal committee for peace in Eastern Darfur. (Back to Top) Illegal tax collectors arrested in Aweil Gurtong Aweil, 03/07/13 - The Authority of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have arrested individuals who had formed various groups and cartels of an unidentified legal status to be collecting revenues from foreign and local traders at the state bus-park and along the roads. This happened when the state governor made a surprise visit to the bus park to confirm the rumours of established several tables for taxing goods from the traders and other locals. During the visit, several unconfirmed tables whose authorizations were not licensed by the ministry concerned and the government were arrested and taken to the custody for more investigations.