John Madol Panther, SSBC's newly appointed Managing Director - courtesy

President Salva Kiir on Thursday evening appointed John Madol Panther as the new managing director of the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) Television.

Panther replaces James Magok Chilim Chok, who has led the institution since 2016. The announcement was made in a presidential decree read on the broadcaster.

According to the decree, the decision followed a recommendation of the corporation’s board of directors.

From reporter to the top office

Before his latest appointment, John Madol Panther served as the director of Press and Publicity at the National Ministry of Information, Communication and Postal Services.

His career in media and communication spans several years. He previously served as director of television within SSBC, and was a longtime correspondent and reporter in Lakes State.

Panther also headed Radio Rumbek 98 FM, a government-owned radio station based in the state capital, Rumbek.

Beyond journalism, he has also served in different administrative posts. He was Director General in the Lakes State Ministry of Information and Communication, and during the period of the 32 states, he served as Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology in Gok State.

About SSBC

The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation is the country’s public broadcaster, owned and run by the government. It operates radio stations in Juba and Wau through both AM and FM frequencies and transmits television content via VHF and UHF signals in Juba.

SSBC also leases transmission services to international broadcasters including the BBC World Service and Radio France.

In 2018, China pledged $15 million USD to help modernize SSBC, including the construction of a modern TV studio and training of staff.

As part of this support, the Chinese government, through its embassy in Juba, handed over a new TV production building in 2023. The two-storey facility spans about 2,400 square meters and features a TV studio, virtual studio, recording studio, master control room, launch room, office space, and other supporting facilities.

In recent years, SSBC has often been criticised for leaning towards the ruling SPLM party and not giving opposition equal voice its news and programming.

Panther, now takes over at the time the country is preparing for first general elections since independence.

The elections will mark the end of the current transitional government of national unity established by the revitalized peace agreement which end the 2013 and 2016 wars.