A picture of journalist in the Capital, Juba covering an event. Photo credit: Courtesy

Authorities in Bentiu Town of Unity State have refuted claims, obstructing journalists from media coverage in the area last week.

On Friday, the Union of Journalists of South Sudan revealed in a statement that some journalists were blocked from an event convened by the Coalition of Students Union in the state.

UJOSS described the development as a deviation from the freedom of expression and press as stipulated in articles 24 and 32 of the Transitional constitution of South Sudan of 2011 as amended.

The statement by Patrick Oyet urges authorities at all levels to observe utmost restraints and allow journalists to freely do their work of informing and educating the public.

Responding to the claims, the Unity State Minister of Information labeled the allegations as untrue.

Gabriel Makuei however admitted that one journalist was initially denied entry at the gate of the event conference over miscommunication.

The journalist whose name has not been provided, Makuei claims, was later allowed to cover the event after the matter was resolved.

“That’s not true because I was in the same event that was on Friday”

“I had communication with the journalist who was coming to cover the event, unfortunately he was having miscommunication with the security who was in charge of the venue. Then he talked to me and we allowed him to cover the program”, Gabriel Makuei narrated to Eye Radio on Monday.