News
UNESCO trains Police Officers and Journalists on freedom of expression
On commemoration of World Radio Day, 13 February 2024, UNESCO trained over 30 police officers and 30 journalists including other stakeholders on the freedom of expression, access to information and the constitution-making process.
The event was jointly organized by UNESCO, the National Press Club of South Sudan, and the Union of Journalists of South Sudan and State Ministry of Information in Jonglei State.
During the occasion, some radio personalities in the country shared their experiences with fellow journalists and police officers. They explored how radio can promote peaceful co-existence amongst various communities in South Sudan as the country looks forward to the general elections slated for December this year.
The Training of Trainers (TOT) for the police officers focused on the role of the police in promoting freedom of expression and access to information, as well as building synergies between the law enforcement agencies and the journalists ahead of the constitution-making process and the general elections.
Ms. Doreen Loboka, UNESCO Communication and Information National Specialist, urged public authorities to ensure that they support freedom of expression and the right of access to information to enable journalists work freely as the country will head to the polls later this year.
Speaking on the same occasion, Maj. Gen. Elia Kosta Faustino, Police Commissioner for Jonglei State, said the importance of the media is to ensure that people are informed about what is happening around the world. He noted that the police's role is to keep order and the rule of law, and urged the officers to create cordial relations with the media.
Hon. Muhamad Peter Chol, Director-General in Jonglei State Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Guest of Honor of the day, said his ministry is committed to making sure that the public have access to information. 鈥淲e look forward to cooperating with each other: the media, the police, and the government." Mr. Chol also asked journalists to build cordial relationships with the security and added: "We want to make sure that Jonglei is the best and safest state for journalists 鈥 no harassment, no arrests,鈥 Mr. Chol said.
The above activities were made possible with support from the UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and the UN Peace Building Fund project on 鈥淪upport to a people-driven and gender responsive permanent constitution-making process in South Sudan鈥 being implemented by UNESCO, UNDP, and UN Women.
