The UN Mission in South Sudan says journalists should follow rules and regulations set for the media when they want to access the UN camps.

This follows media reports that the mission was restricting journalists from accessing Protection of Civilian’s sites in the country.

Journalists were quoted saying the UNMISS Public Information Office systematically denied journalists access to the sites across the country.

They said the few who were allowed access, were given little time within the camps, making it difficult to assess the living standards and security.

Another reporter was also quoted saying that the Public Information Office tried to block coverage of the recent attack on civilians in the UN camp in Malakal.

However, UNMISS says there are rules and regulations that were put in place by the mission, with the help of community leaders at the camps, in the interest of security.

“In the last two years, we’ve allowed over 180 journalists; one every four days to use UNMISS aircraft to visit the Protection of Civilians sites,” Ariane Quentier, UNMISS Spokesperson, said.

However, she did not state those rules and regulations.

There are almost 200, 000 people who have sought protection in UNMISS camps around the country.