Dr. Lam Akol speaks at a civil society conference in Juba. March 19, 2024. (Photo/Charles Wote).

Veteran politician and former National Minister of Transport Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin has urged journalists to uphold the principles of professionalism and resist giving politicians free platforms to advance their personal or political agendas.

Dr. Lam emphasized that journalists must go beyond reading prepared questions during interviews and instead engage politicians with relevant follow-up questions to ensure accountability.

According to him, the ability to ask follow-up questions is what truly defines professional journalism.

“A journalist conducting an interview should not just follow questions in the order they are written. A journalist who asks questions without follow-up is not a journalist,” Dr. Lam said.

“A journalist must ask follow-up questions in an interview; this is what defines a journalist.”

He cautioned media practitioners against allowing politicians to misuse media platforms to promote unchecked narratives, warning that such practices undermine the role of the press.

“The same way you want information from a politician, the politician can also pass their agenda using your platform. If you allow them, it means they have found a free platform to pass their agenda, and this is not the work of a journalist,” he said.

Dr. Lam further criticized the tendency of some journalists to ignore contradictions in politicians’ statements, noting that accountability requires challenging inconsistencies.

“There are politicians who say things that contradict what they said ten days ago, and they say it with confidence, yet journalists do not ask them about what they said before,” he added.

Dr. Lam Akol made the remarks during a memorial service honoring the late veteran journalist Emmanuel Joseph Akile, held in Juba on Saturday.

The event brought together journalists, political leaders, and members of the public to reflect on Akile’s contribution to journalism and the role of the media in promoting truth and accountability.