The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) has condemned the shutdown of Eye Radio’s website, saying the loss of access limits the public’s ability to obtain information and access the broadcaster’s 23-year digital archive.

In a statement issued Monday, SSHRDN said Eye Radio has played an important role in providing information on governance, peace, human rights, elections, humanitarian affairs and other public-interest issues in South Sudan.

The rights group said the website shutdown affects not only Eye Radio but also journalists, researchers, civil society organisations and others who rely on its digital archive for information and historical reference.

“Shutting down a website that provides access to information does not only affect a media house, but it also affects citizens,” said James Bidal, Head of the SSHRDN Secretariat.

Bidal said South Sudanese have the right to remain informed, participate in public affairs and hold institutions accountable.

“Eye Radio has helped bridge the information gap between communities and institutions for years, and that role must be protected,” he said.

Background

Eye Radio’s website has been inaccessible since September following a directive to its hosting provider, Hostinger, based on a document presented as an interim court order from Kenya.

The shutdown is linked to a case filed by Capital Pay International Limited before the High Court of Kenya in Kisumu.

Eye Radio previously reported that the document cited Eye Media, the company behind the broadcaster, in connection with the proceedings. However, during a September 17 court hearing, Justice Joe M. Omido said Eye Media was not among the defendants in the case.

Eye Media subsequently asked Hostinger to restore the website, saying the company had not been sued, served or joined to the proceedings.

The shutdown has also prevented public access to Eye Radio’s digital archive, which contains 23 years of news reports documenting events and developments in South Sudan.

Eye Media has said the legal dispute relates to four Eye Radio reports cited in the Kenyan proceedings. The broadcaster maintains that the reports were based on official statements, records and other sources and were published in accordance with its editorial standards.

The allegations raised in the Kenyan proceedings remain subject to determination by the court.

SSHRDN is calling for the immediate restoration of Eye Radio’s website and digital archive.

The group is also urging all actors involved to ensure that any legal or administrative action affecting media platforms respects due process and the public’s right to information.