The Minister of Information has reiterated his call on private media institutions to report accurately on information delivered by the government.

Yesterday, Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth told the government television that he will work to reduce the number of talk-back shows whereby listeners call-in on private FM radio stations to discuss national issues.

He claimed that some of these programs are a risk to the national security of the country.

While addressing the press today after the Council of Ministers meeting, Makuei Lueth said he will incorporate the order into the new policy of his ministry.

“These are directives and they ought to be followed, because there are people who would, in a way or the other, try to misreport issues which are clear,” said Mr. Lueth. “So, I directed that everyone must conform to the laws and the ethics of the profession.”

However, many journalists have viewed the minister’s repeated remark as a threat to the freedom of expression.

The Director of the Association of Media Development in South Sudan, AMDISS, says it will not be the role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to regulate programs of the private media.

“The new media bill which is still being reviewed by the inter-chamber committee of the National Parliament and the Council of States will provide for the establishment of a body that will monitor the work of the media in the country,” says Hakim Moi.

“The media authority will establish a press and broadcast council; it is this council which will compose of people who are experts and who know how to address issues of code of conduct and code of ethics for the media.”

Mister Hakim said AMDISS will work with the new minister of Information and Broadcasting to promote media freedom and good working relations between the government and the journalists.