The National Elections Commission (NEC) in South Sudan has initiated a media engagement workshop aimed at enhancing voter and civic education reporting. The workshop, held in Juba, brings together journalists from various media houses to discuss the NEC's legal framework and its role in the electoral process. This effort is part of the preparations for South Sudan's upcoming general elections, which will be a significant event for the country. The workshop focuses on the National Elections Act 2012, as amended in 2026, and the media's role in disseminating accurate information to the public.
The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) Chairperson, Patrick Oyet, welcomed the NEC's initiative, emphasizing the need for journalists to have adequate information to report accurately on the elections. He noted that many journalists may not have experience covering elections, making such training essential. Oyet highlighted the critical role journalists will play in informing citizens throughout the electoral process, including during voting activities and when relaying election results. He commended the NEC for organizing the workshop but also urged the commission to consider providing financial and logistical support to media houses.
Oyet stressed that effective public information campaigns require resources to support broadcasting and other forms of outreach. He encouraged the NEC to work with development partners to include media houses in voter education initiatives. According to Oyet, many institutions often overlook the needs of journalists until they require coverage of specific events. The UJOSS chairperson believes that with proper support, journalists can significantly contribute to a successful electoral process by providing accurate and balanced reporting.
NEC Commissioner in Charge of Media and Communication, George Lemi, acknowledged the media's crucial role in promoting public awareness and ensuring citizens receive accurate information. He emphasized that professional, impartial, and responsible journalism is vital for peaceful elections, informed citizens, and democratic development. Lemi encouraged journalists to share their experiences, ask questions, and apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to their reporting. He expressed confidence that the workshop would enhance accurate, inclusive, and responsible electoral reporting across South Sudan.
The media engagement workshop is part of the NEC's efforts to strengthen electoral reporting and public awareness ahead of the general elections. Lemi thanked the organizers, facilitators, partners, and participating journalists for their involvement. He urged journalists to use the skills and knowledge acquired to improve public understanding of the electoral process. The workshop is seen as a step towards ensuring that citizens receive balanced and accurate information, which is critical for building confidence in the electoral process.
The upcoming general elections in South Sudan will be a significant event, marking a critical milestone in the country's democratic development. The NEC's engagement with journalists is a proactive approach to ensuring that the public is well-informed about the electoral process. By equipping journalists with the necessary information and skills, the NEC aims to promote responsible and accurate reporting, which is essential for a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
As preparations for the general elections continue, the NEC's initiative to engage journalists and promote voter and civic education is gaining momentum. The collaboration between the NEC and media practitioners is expected to contribute to a more informed public and a successful electoral process. Key to this effort is the support for media houses to expand their voter and civic education initiatives, ensuring that citizens have access to verified information and balanced reporting.
Key points
- The National Elections Commission in South Sudan has launched a media engagement workshop to strengthen electoral reporting ahead of the country's general elections.
- UJOSS Chairperson Patrick Oyet has called for financial and logistical support for media houses to expand voter and civic education initiatives.
- The workshop aims to equip journalists with the necessary information and skills to report accurately and responsibly on the electoral process.
