South Sudanese reporters cover an event | file photo

The Association of Media Development and the Union of Journalists have urged the Ministries of Information and Justice to investigate harassments of journalists.

The two media bodies say over 12 cases of threats, intimidation, detention, kidnapping, shooting and torture of journalists have been reported since December last year.

A Journalist working for the al-Thabeer Arabic Newspaper was beaten, tortured and dumped near a graveyard in Hai Malakal. The incident happened just weeks after he was released from detention.

An opinion writer for the al-Mougif Newspaper was also found unconscious at a cemetery along Juba-Yei Road early this month. Police say they are investigating the two incidents.

The two major South Sudanese media bodies also said there were cases of journalists attacked in Wau and another arrested and later released in Yambio.

AMDISS and UJOSS say the new trend is dangerous to the promotion of the freedom of expression by the public and the media.

“Crimes of this nature against journalists also constitute crimes against the rights of ordinary or the general public to know and access information,” they said in a joint statement.

They call for perpetrators of such violations to be held accountable.