Our Background

Association for Media Development In South Sudan (AMDISS) was formed in 2003 before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005. AMDISS was formed by South Sudanese journalists in the diaspora who are editors and owners of the leading media outlets for the then Southern Sudan, it started as a network through the internet/emails and it is a membership-based organization. There was no physical office at the time. Between 2004 and 2006, AMDISS held several consultative meetings with stakeholders. It met the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Nairobi in 2004 and articulated its position that was well received by the leading South Sudan political leadership.
It then moved and signed declarations e.g the Rumbek declaration 2005 and the Khartoum declaration 2007 for its inception and mandate.
AMDISS moved to Juba and set up an office in 2007. It established a secretariat and hired full-time staff such as the Executive Director, MDI Principal, Media Development Officer, Communication and Advocacy, Research, Finance, and other support staff. AMDISS was registered as an NGO in 2009 by the then Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development of Southern Sudan. Today the AMDISS office is headquartered at the Media Development Institute (MDI) in South Sudan’s capital city Juba, located 150m Kokora Road Off- UNDP junction opposite Aron International Hotel.

AMDISS with support from UNESCO conducted a two-day training workshop for security agencies, in May 2024.

By Scolar Nunu / May 28, 2024

AMDISS with support from UNESCO on Tuesday, 28 May 2024, conducted a two-day training workshop for security agencies on enhancing their understanding of the role of journalists, observance of media framework, access to information, and safety of journalists at the Tourists Hotel in Yambio, Western Equatoria State.

The training brought together 30 participants drawn from the Police, National Security, SSPDF, Prison Service, State Ministry of Information, and media houses to forge common ground to enhance their working relations, observance of media laws, freedom of expression, and access to information at the time the country prepares for first-ever polls scheduled for December this year.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the State Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Isaac Mursal advised the journalists to stick to their professional ethics and report accurately to avoid misinforming the public.

Minister Mursal disclosed that since the formation of the transitional government of national unity, there has been no harassment, arrest, or intimidation of journalists in Western Equatoria State.

He affirmed the government’s readiness to work with the journalists and organized forces to serve the people of Western Equatoria State with accurate information to promote tangible development and peaceful coexistence in the state.

On her part, UNESCO Communication and National Information Specialist, Doreen Loboka urged the security officers to use the workshop to enhance their working relations with journalists, uphold the freedom of expression, and give unhindered access to information in line with the laws of the land.

She appealed to the journalists to use the diverse local languages spoken in Western Equatoria State to communicate vital information to their audience across the state.

The Chairperson of AMDISS, Josephine Achiro commended the journalists and security agencies for coming together to dialogue among themselves to find solutions to and foster cooperation and collaboration in the area of information sharing and freedom of expression in the state.

Achiro reiterated the call on security agencies to grant journalists access to information so they can disseminate accurate and credible information to the public.

UNESCO South Sudan Netherlands Embassy in South Sudan United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)Media Development Institute

Success Stories

I was running a kiosk for charging cell phones to support my studies at MDI,” Peter Gatkuoth. “I also performed very well during my internship. I am so proud and happy about this hard-won award. It encourages me to do more in the field to win more awards and make difference in society.”
Peter Gatkuoth is one of the six MDI Alumni who won the award for exceptional writing on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.
He encouraged his colleagues to devote themselves to educating, informing, and entertaining their audience regardless of the challenges facing the media space in the country.

Peter Gatkuoth, MDI AMDISS

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AMDISS with support from UNESCO conducted a two-day training workshop for security agencies, in May 2024.

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