“Journalism is not a free pass to publish unchecked information,” Minister Makuei emphasized
The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, called on journalists to recommit to the core principles of ethical reporting and professional conduct.
In his opening address during the Media Stakeholders Forum, Honorable Michael Makuei Lueth, Calls for a Responsible Journalism in the country.
Minister Makuei emphasized that journalism is not a free pass to publish unchecked information. “Whenever we’re acting as journalists, we must conform with the Ethics and Professionalism of Journalism,” he stated.
Minister Makuei said, “For me to be a journalist, it doesn’t mean I have the right to write whatever should be written and whenever I come across anything without counter-checking or verifying it, and I rush to post it on social media.”
The Minister’s remarks come at a time when misinformation and disinformation often spread rapidly through social media, posing serious threats to public trust and national cohesion.
“This is not acceptable because there are some writings that tend to misinform the public,” Honorable Lueth added.
He warned that irresponsible reporting not only undermines the credibility of the media but also risks inflaming tensions and misleading citizens.
Makuei underscored the importance of journalistic integrity, urging media professionals to verify facts before publication and to resist the temptation of sensationalism.
He reminded the media practitioners that journalism is a public service, and it comes with responsibility to inform accurately, fairly, and with respect for the truth.
The two-day Media Stakeholders Forum has served as a platform for dialogue among the media practitioners, civil society representatives, government officials, and Security Agencies.
The event organized by the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) with support from the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) to strengthen Press Freedom, promote Civic Space and accountability.