Salva Kiir, president | File photo

New laws that govern the media in South Sudan have been signed by the President.

It is expected that the laws will establish a body that will regulate the media and guarantee the right of access to information; as well as making SSTV and South Sudan radio owned by the public.

Presidential spokesman says we will be able to read the media laws in two-week’ time.

Mr Ateny Wek says President Salva Kiir signed the bills into law today.

“All the three bills have now become the act of law that is capable of being implemented in South Sudan by the relevant authorities,” he said.

A lecturer at the University of Juba has urged government officials to follow the right procedures before arresting journalists.

Solomon Okuk says the due process of the law should be followed.

“If a journalist went wrong, you don’t just go and arrest him in his house without following the legal course,” he appealed.

“You need to go and open a case, get a warrant of arrest and follow all those procedures until it goes.”

As the presidential secretary announced the new laws, some journalists spoke out.

They said they were concerned about what the final wording of the law will be.

But Mr Ateny said they should not worry.

“If you find that the law that has been signed has a vast difference with the one you have in your hand, then you have the right of coming back to ask the president to rescind the signature,” he assured the media.

The media bills were passed by the parliament last year and sent to the office of the President for assent.