A three-day workshop aimed at empowering journalists to actively participate in the constitutional-making process kicked off in Juba on Monday.
Held under the theme “Promoting a Media Culture that Fosters Peace, Social Cohesion, and Public Participation in Democratic Processes,” the event brings together over 50 journalists drawn from all ten states and three administrative areas of South Sudan.
The workshop is organized by the Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Speaking during the opening ceremony, South Sudan’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol, emphasized the importance of the media in shaping inclusive national dialogue.
“The role of journalists is critical in informing, educating, and engaging the public on constitutional matters,” he said.
UJOSS President Patrick Oyet noted that the workshop seeks to equip media practitioners with the necessary knowledge and skills to cover constitutional issues accurately and ethically.
“This is about empowering the media to be an agent of peace and democratic change,” said UJOSS president.
The event also includes interactive sessions on constitutional literacy, conflict-sensitive reporting, and strategies for promoting civic engagement through the media.
Organizers say the workshop is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the media remains a key player in South Sudan’s democratic transition and the broader peacebuilding process.
The forum will run through Thursday with several high-level presentations and group discussions planned.
