The Union of Journalists of South Sudan said Alfred Angasi was detained by National Security for reportedly refusing to anchor news. Photo:facebook/Alfred Angasi.

Journalist Alfred Angasi Dominic who had been in detention for over two weeks has been released by the National Security Service.

The journalist who works at South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation as a news anchor was arrested on July 2, 2021.

Last week, his sister, Cecilia Dominic told Eye Radio that her brother Angasi was picked by National Security from SSBC headquarters in Juba.

She criticized the management of SSBC for “keeping quiet” about her brother’s detention.

The reason for the journalist’s detention was not clear, but the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) said Alfred Angasi was picked by the National Security Service for allegedly refusing to anchor the news.

On the fateful day, Angasi was reportedly scheduled to anchor news containing presidential decrees for the appointment of some members of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States.

UJOSS said journalist Angasi was briefly released on July 4, but re-arrested on July 5.

The journalists’ body said Angasi’s case should have been handled at SSBC “administratively”. But over the last two weeks, the management of SSBC remained tight-lipped over the matter.

On Friday, UJOSS President Oyet Patrick said in a press release that they were granted access to the journalist, and called for his unconditional release.

Today, the NSS set free journalist Alfred Angasi.

UJOSS confirmed this in a press statement, saying it will “continue to work with all stakeholders including the National Security Service and the Media Authority to ensure a conducive environment for journalists.”

SSBC journalist @AlfredAngasi Dominic has been released after spending over two weeks in National Security Service detention #SouthSudan #SSSOT pic.twitter.com/OMlljHWlJW

— Eye Radio (@EyeRadioJuba) July 24, 2021

Media freedom campaigner Reporters Without Borders (RFS) said in April that South Sudan had dropped one step in its annual World Press Freedom Index ranking.

South Sudan ranked number 139 out of 180 countries in the annual press freedom index, dropping a place from last year’s ranking of 138.

According to RFS, several journalists have over the last two years sought refuge outside South Sudan due to lack of media freedoms.

It said journalists and media houses in South Sudan continue to exercise self-censorship following a spate of harassment, arrests, and intimidation by authorities.

However, the government has often insisted it accords freedom of the press in South Sudan.