Presidential Press Secretary Arek Aldo Ajo Deng. (Photo credit: Office of the President)

The Press Secretary in the Office of the President says South Sudanese journalists are not being denied access to interview President Salva Kiir because of a lack of trust, but due to the lack of a working relationship between the Presidency and the national media.

The remarks by Arek Aldo Ajo Deng come after journalists and media practitioners expressed concern when a Kenyan media outlet secured a one-on-one interview with President Kiir.

Some journalists complained that they have been denied access to interview the President while foreign journalists have had easier access.

Others questioned whether President Kiir does not trust the national media and what impact the limited access could have as the country prepares for elections.

‘Not lack of trust’

Speaking during a media training organized by the Office of the President last week, Arek said South Sudanese journalists are qualified to interview the President.

She urged media organizations to submit written requests through the established professional channels.

Ajo Deng said South Sudanese journalists are no less competent or qualified than foreign journalists.

She said the issue is not a lack of trust, but the need to follow established professional procedures when seeking access to the President.

“So I don’t see that as saying something that could not happen. It’s not lack of trust. It’s lack of relationship. Hear me again. It’s not lack of trust. It’s lack of relationship,” she said, responding a journalist at the training who raised the question why foreign journalists have been granted access to interview the President while South Sudanese journalists have not had similar opportunities.

“So now this is the start of rebuilding relationships with you, and you also set the parameters on what has happened. So, contrary to what you think, right, if someone like Jeff comes to do an interview here, he’s not coming to do it freely without anything being put in place. I’m very security-orientated. I’m very information-orientated,” she stressed.

Calls for formal requests

The Press Secretary said her office has not received any official written requests from local media organizations seeking interviews with President Kiir.

She urged journalists and media organizations interested in interviewing the President to formally contact her office and submit written requests for consideration.

Ajo Deng said President Kiir is open to granting interviews to local media, adding that there is no obstacle to such engagements.

“There’s misinformation out there that people have reached out to do an interview. It has not happened. And I had a meeting with the media houses a few weeks ago, and I said the same thing Reach out let’s have a conversation. Let’s build the parameters around that, it is important that our journalists have access,” she said.

“In every country, not just South Sudan, in every country in the world, in order for anyone to have access to the highest office in the land, it must be done professionally. And when people reach out professionally, we will talk professionally. I am very open to that, and I think that his excellency will be open to that, too, where he can talk in Arabic, he can speak English,” she added.

Rebuilding relations

Ajo Deng described the current period as the beginning of efforts to rebuild the relationship between the Presidency and national media organizations.

She also said interviews with international journalists are coordinated in advance to help share South Sudan’s story with the international community.

According to her, granting access to international media does not diminish the important role of South Sudanese journalists.