Elijah Alier, Managing Director of the Media Authority in South Sudan - courtesy

The Managing Director of South Sudan Media Authority said freedom of the press in the country has improved due to “responsible” reporting by media houses.

Elijah Alier commended journalists and media outlets in the country for exercising good journalism standards.

He was speaking during the closing of a three-day training on elections reporting in a digital era in Juba on Friday.

“When I started it was not easy, I received calls every day, challenges every day, but today, I receive minimum calls related to the challenges that were there before, it is simply because of responsible media,” Alier said.

According to the World Press Freedom Index, South Sudan has improved over the last three years. It was ranked 139th in 2021 to 128 in 2022, and 118 in 2023.

“This year we have improved to 118, just one country and we are next to Kenya. So, you could see this thing is a collective responsibility from all of us and other stakeholders.”

He also called on them to continue improving for the country to prosper.

Alier also said the media has a great role in shaping opinions and influencing decision-making in the country.

Alier said the improvement is a clear demonstration of the positive role played by media and other stakeholders in the country.