Juba, South Sudan – Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) today held a strategic meeting with Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), to discuss the vital role of the media in the upcoming elections.
During the meeting, AMDISS Director Ayaa Irene Lokang highlighted the organization’s ongoing advocacy for freedom of expression, protection of media rights, and its commitment to training and mentoring journalists across the country.
She emphasized the need for the Commission to establish monthly media briefings on election activities, ensuring South Sudanese citizens receive timely and accurate information.
“We have a proposal for the commission to have a weekly or monthly media briefing, where the Commission can brief the media on activity updates about elections,” Lokang suggested.
Irene further informed the Commission’s Chairperson on AMDISS’s Election Guideline Manual draft for Journalists.
According to Lokang, the drafted document is designed to strengthen professional reporting on pre-election activities, during the election, and after the electoral process. The manual will be shared with stakeholders, including the Commission, for review before its official launch.
Meanwhile, Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, acknowledged the critical role of the media, describing it as a bridge between the Commission and the public.
He said, “Media is an important stakeholder in the Elections process; it acts as a bridge between the commission and the public.” “It informs the public about what the commission is doing,” Professor Kacuol added.
Prof. Abednego Akok Kacuol, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission, said that the commission is always ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure Citizens stay informed about the activities of the Commission.
AMDISS is a National media advocacy & training organization committed to promote professional journalism & advocating for a vibrant, free and independent media in South Sudan.