South Sudan’s media authority suspends newspaper from circulation

By Tapeng Michael Ohure

The media authority in South Sudan, the government agency which regulates media operations in the country has put on hold the circulation of a local newspaper, The Number One Citizen.

Alleged reasons given have been “non-compliance” to operation norms, a staff of the newspaper who preferred anonymity told Juba Echo in an interview.

“In the suspension letter they said they wanted the license which we have given to them already, but now I don’t know why they are not allowing us to operate,” the staff said.

“To me there is actually nothing apart from what they demanded, which we have given them.”

The English daily has not been publishing since December 6.

According to the source, many readers have been calling the newspaper, demanding to know why their favourite news source is not publishing.

When reached by phone on Thursday, Sapana Abuyi, the Director General for Media Compliance for South Sudan’s Media Authority would not comment.

The Union of South Sudan has initiated discussions with the Media Authority to resolve the matter, the President Oyet Patrick Charles told Juba Echo.

“We have started talking with the Media Authority and we shall continue to talk,” Charles said.

“We will pursue them for us to understand why they have closed the newspaper from operating.”