South Sudanese leaders, diplomats, and media experts have called for clearer laws and stronger ethical standards to safeguard freedom of expression while curbing hate speech and misinformation.
The appeal was made during a national dialogue themed “Media and the Law: Understanding the Line Between Freedom of Speech and Hate Speech in South Sudan,” held in Juba on Tuesday.
The event brought together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society leaders, and journalists.
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Country Representative for Uganda and South Sudan, Anna Reisman, said the foundation’s mission to “shape democracy together” reflects its belief that a free and responsible press is central to peace and prosperity.
“Journalists are patriots who choose this profession to make their country better,” Reisman said, urging reporters to uphold truth and integrity in their work. “Trust is the currency of journalism, once it’s lost, misinformation takes over.”
Gregory Bledjian, Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Juba, described freedom of expression as the “oxygen of democracy,” warning that censorship and intimidation undermine accountability.
He drew from Germany’s history to explain the need for limits where speech threatens peace or human dignity.
“Our history taught us that words can destroy societies,” Bledjian said. “That is why German law sets clear boundaries when speech endangers democracy.”
Deputy Minister of Information, David Yau Yau, emphasized that media freedom must advance unity, not division.
“The media is a mirror of our young nation,” he said. “We must ensure this freedom strengthens peace and cohesion, not conflict.”
Yau Yau said the government supports open dialogue on media law reforms to ensure both journalists and citizens understand their rights and responsibilities under the constitution.
The one-day dialogue, organized by KAS in partnership with the Talent Initiative for Development (TiDE), also focused on digital literacy, ethical reporting, and legal safeguards for journalists.
Participants concluded with a shared commitment to develop a professional, independent, and peace-promoting media landscape, one that upholds both freedom and responsibility as pillars of South Sudan’s democracy.
