17 April 2013 - Some positive steps have been taken to promote the growth of South Sudan's independent media sector, but there is also increasing unease about the safety of journalists in the country, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (DSRSG) for South Sudan
Raisedon Zenenga said in Juba today.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on media coverage of human rights issues, Mr. Zenenga commended the government for its decision last February to accept the nomination of South Sudan as one of four pilot countries chosen for the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists, an initiative that aims to foster a free and safe environment for journalists and other media practitioners.

"There are very positive indications in the country," said the DSRSG. "The lack of censorship (is one) and ...we understand that the media bills were the most consulted pieces of legislation."

Mr. Zenenga cited statistics from the Ministry of Information that reflect a "vibrant, independent and diverse media", with 34 FM radio stations and 16 community radio stations registered with the ministry along with dozens of newspapers and several independent news websites.

"At the same time, however, there are growing concerns expressed by international stakeholders, (local journalists), civil society and even some government officials about an emerging and worrying trend of arbitrary arrests, threats and intimidation of journalists," he said.

"Independent and diverse media in South Sudan are one of the crucial requirements for cultivating a culture of accountability, human rights, rule of law and democracy in the new country," he added.

Mr. Zenenga said the workshop is timely because it would enhance the journalists' awareness of human rights issues and help them to hone their professional skills.

Some 40 journalists drawn from various media houses in Juba are attending the workshop, which is organized by the UNMISS Human Rights Division in collaboration with the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), the South Sudan Human Rights Commission, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Different activities will be undertaken in the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists. These include helping governments to develop laws on safeguarding journalists, highlighting the damage done to a country's international reputation when a journalist's right to freedom of expression is curtailed, and providing training courses for journalists in safety, among others.

Alfred Taban, the editor of The Juba Monitor newspaper who is also a member of the AMDISS executive board, said he hoped that the workshop would also address the impact of South Sudan's customary and traditional laws on the practice of journalism.