Hon. Elijah Alier, the Managing Director of South Sudan Media Authority speaks during past event, September 28, 2023. (Moyo Jacob/Eye Radio).

JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – The South Sudan Media Authority is calling for heightened public education and greater legal clarity to effectively address misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech that pose a threat to national peace and stability.

The call came from Elijah Alier Kuai, Managing Director of the Media Authority, during a two-day workshop held in Juba from December 2nd to 3rd.

The event, organized by the SSMA in collaboration with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), brought together senior media managers, legal professionals, and security officials.

The workshop’s theme was: “Promoting a Just Approach to Misinformation, Disinformation, and Hate Speech: An Urgent Mission to Defend Truth, Dignity, and Peace in the Republic of South Sudan.”

Mr. Alier highlighted that through collective responsibility and continuous engagement, media harassment and intimidation have significantly decreased over the past eight years.

He acknowledged the security sector—including National Security, the Army, and the Police—for their cooperation in reducing such incidents.

However, the Managing Director noted that the evolving legal landscape sometimes presents challenges due to overlapping laws and mandates granted to both the Media Authority and various security bodies.  He stressed that tackling issues like hate speech requires seamless coordination between all agencies.

“We have to work in collaboration and in coordination because we are implementing this law in the national interest of the same country for the same people,” Alier stated, explaining that accountability for misinformation and hate speech affects not only journalists but also politicians and the general public.

Alier stressed the importance of proactively educating the public and media practitioners on the precise definition and scope of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech before any enforcement measures are applied.

He noted that the workshop, which also engages with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice, is vital for building a shared understanding, especially when media professionals might commit offenses outside the media’s direct mandate, such as “economic crime or social crime.”

By positioning itself as a bridge between law enforcement, the judiciary, and the media, the SSMA aims to foster accountability, enhance public understanding of laws, and ensure media operations contribute positively to social stability and national development.