Media authority will be formed soon to regulate the press in the country, the minister of information has said.

The remark comes a day after the ministry threatened to shut down UN radio Miraya over airing interviews with the SPLM in Opposition.

The minister of Information and broadcasting, Michael Makuei Lueth, says the government doesn’t want the SPLM in Opposition to share its plans on radio stations.

“Miraya, you are interviewing the rebels if it happens again we are shutting you down and this must be made very clear,” Mr Makuei warned.

Radio Miraya has not commented on the threat.

Mr Makuei says the President is yet to approve nominees to the media authority.

“We would really like to establish this media authority so that we distance ourselves from this mess and you regulate yourselves,” he said.

The establishment of media authority and the broadcasting cooperation was expected soon after President Salva Kiir signed media bills into laws last years.