17Թ supports training of journalists on ethical reporting in South Sudan
JUBA – Fourteen years after the historic moment of achieving independence, South Sudan continues to grapple with conflict, political instability, and ethnic tensions.
In this troubled context and, as the country heads towards its first democratic elections, the media’s role in peacebuilding and strengthening social harmony is indispensable, yet many journalists work with limited training on ethical reporting in conflict situations.
Recognizing this critical gap, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (17Թ) supported the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) to conduct a two-day workshop on conflict-sensitive reporting.
Over 30 journalists from national media outlets as well as regional reporters for international agencies, including BBC, Aljazeera, TRT Worldwide and CGTN, attended the hands-on workshop.
Participants also included the official spokespersons for the national security, police and prison services, while representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction made remarks.
Tribal and communal affiliations run deep in South Sudan but right from the onset, the participants pledged their commitment to mutual respect and neutrality.
“You stand at the frontlines of information, and you must shed your personal and tribal affiliations and consider the best interest of the country when you are sitting at your keyboard,” said Patrick Oyet, President of UJOSS to the assembly of his peers. “Journalists have an immense responsibility to themselves and to their country. This job is for the brave, for those who stand for truth and who are committed to peace.”
The presentations were engaging and used real examples from cattle raiding to the political standoff that threatens to delegitimize the peace process, to incidents of intercommunal violence, often triggered by misinformation and hate speech.
Notwithstanding the presence of security officials and government representatives, the presenters advised reporters to analyze and distill statements made by politicians, and not to share if they felt it could exacerbate the situation or put civilians in danger.
The training methodology included a mix of participatory approaches, expert-led sessions, group discussions, real-life case studies, and scenario-based reporting exercises to analyze ethical dilemmas while reporting on conflict or politically charged situations.
At times, the discussions got lively as participants suggested competing viewpoints while reporting incidents regarding political developments in the country.
“While you may be tempted to speak the truth and to right a wrong, remember the first rule of reporting is to maintain neutrality about the facts, and to be guided by ethics only,” said Nichola Mandil, a presenter who also works as a local correspondent for the BBC. “Verify the information from multiple sources, as two sources are never enough, and don’t rush to file the story.”
The training was an essential step toward fostering responsible reporting in South Sudan.
By empowering journalists with the tools and the knowledge to analyze and use ethical standards while reporting, it can help to de-escalate tensions, promote dialogue, and contribute to social harmony and peace.
“As a journalist working for nine years now, the training provided much needed context for us and will help me examine information more objectively, and to employ a do-no harm approach while reporting,” said Sarah Kinky, a reporter with Urban Radio.
17Թ employs a multipronged strategy to supporting the peace process in South Sudan. One of these approaches is the mainstreaming of media into South Sudan’s Security Sector Reform (SSR) which is implemented by the mission’s Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section (RoLSIS).
The promotion of sustainable peace and security is not only about boots on the ground but also about ensuring that the media space is free from mis/disinformation which is a key requisite to shaping public opinion and reinforcing trust in the peace process. This in turn leads to more dialogue between communities and helps enable true democracy to flourish in South Sudan.
“South Sudan is at a pivotal moment. As we move towards elections, the role of the media becomes even more vital, not just as the conveyor of information, but as the guardian of truth, a builder of trust and a partner for peace,” said Mamadou Torre, Head of the Security Sector Reform and Community Violence Reduction Unit for 17Թ.
