Why South Sudan Authorities Must Re-open the Nation Mirror Newspaper
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that needs to be universally protected”, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“The rights to Freedom of Expression and Access to Information are enshrined in Article 24 and Article 32 respectively of the National Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011”
Background
The Nation Mirror is a prominent independent paper which started operating in South Sudan in July 2014.
On September 14, 2016, authorities of the National Security Service (NSS) in South Sudan arbitrarily shut down the Nation Mirror newspaper. According to management of the paper, there was no reason given by the security body for the decision.
However, according to local media, the paper was shut down after reporting on the Sentry Corruption Report on South Sudan. The Sentry report highlights acts of corruption by the President and top military officials in the country.
Prior to its closure on September 14, the security service ordered the Ganesh Printing Press to remove two articles from the Nation Mirror newspaper before publication on two different occasions. In a separate incident, the NSS reportedly demanded that the management of the newspaper either produce the writer of an opinion piece which the security service deemed critical of the government or risk being shut down.
This is not the first time the Nation Mirror newspaper has been targeted. In February 2015, seven months after the paper was established, South Sudan’s authorities closed down the paper for a period of eight months (February- October 2015).
The Nation Mirror newspaper is not the only newspaper to be shut down in South Sudan. At least three newspapers including the Citizen, Al-rai and Altabeer newspapers have been shut down completely in the country.
The NSS has the authority to scrutinize content of newspapers before publication and those who rebel risk being shut down. In most instances, the NSS does not give the exact reason for the closure of newspaper organisations.
Media censorship denies citizens’ their fundamental right to receive and impart information and ideas through the media as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We appeal to authorities of South Sudan’s Security Service to inform the public the exact reason and legal basis for the closure of the Nation Mirror newspaper.
Join AFEX to tell the South Sudanese Government that no newspaper deserves to be shut down for being critical of the government by signing this petition.
Kindly share with your friends and contacts worldwide.
Updates
September 28, 2016
The momentum is incredible. This shows how many people demand a free press in South Sudan.
Reached 100 supporters
September 28, 2016
61 Comments
For us to be free, our lips should'nt be stitched with bullets. We are a vocal society and for it, we sacrificed two and half millions of our compatriots. Stop gagging us from freedom of speech!
A free and independent media is a must in any democratic society, media houses should never be shut by executive fiat which will amount to executive recklessness and impunity. The South Sudanese authorities should immediately reopen the Nation Mirror newspaper. If it has committed any offence, the authorities should seek remedy in court.
For a "new" and young country South Sudan certainly has some outmoded attitudes towards freedom of expression and other salient human rights. Seems to me like the authorities are caught up in a perpetual state of war and have made the citizenry enemy combatants.
South Sudanese fought for freedom and liberty. These aspirations can never be achieved without media freedom. We call upon Mr. Salva Kirr to be a true the midwife free press in South Sudan
The closure of "The Nation Mirror and Citizen Newspapers" have left a big gap in media at this time when South Sudanese citizens need to be informed about peace process through media
The closure of nation mirror is unacceptable
The unlawful closure of the Nation Mirror news paper by the government of South Sudan is in violation of the transitional Constitution of the land. Hence, I sign this petition with a hope that the regime in Juba listen to the voices of wisdom, and re-open the news paper. May the freedom of the press always prevail Amol Mabior
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Why South Sudan Authorities Must Re-open the Nation Mirror Newspaper
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that needs to be universally protected”, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“The rights to Freedom of Expression and Access to Information are enshrined in Article 24 and Article 32 respectively of the National Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011”
Background
The Nation Mirror is a prominent independent paper which started operating in South Sudan in July 2014.
On September 14, 2016, authorities of the National Security Service (NSS) in South Sudan arbitrarily shut down the Nation Mirror newspaper. According to management of the paper, there was no reason given by the security body for the decision.
However, according to local media, the paper was shut down after reporting on the Sentry Corruption Report on South Sudan. The Sentry report highlights acts of corruption by the President and top military officials in the country.
Prior to its closure on September 14, the security service ordered the Ganesh Printing Press to remove two articles from the Nation Mirror newspaper before publication on two different occasions. In a separate incident, the NSS reportedly demanded that the management of the newspaper either produce the writer of an opinion piece which the security service deemed critical of the government or risk being shut down.
This is not the first time the Nation Mirror newspaper has been targeted. In February 2015, seven months after the paper was established, South Sudan’s authorities closed down the paper for a period of eight months (February- October 2015).
The Nation Mirror newspaper is not the only newspaper to be shut down in South Sudan. At least three newspapers including the Citizen, Al-rai and Altabeer newspapers have been shut down completely in the country.
The NSS has the authority to scrutinize content of newspapers before publication and those who rebel risk being shut down. In most instances, the NSS does not give the exact reason for the closure of newspaper organisations.
Media censorship denies citizens’ their fundamental right to receive and impart information and ideas through the media as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We appeal to authorities of South Sudan’s Security Service to inform the public the exact reason and legal basis for the closure of the Nation Mirror newspaper.
Join AFEX to tell the South Sudanese Government that no newspaper deserves to be shut down for being critical of the government by signing this petition.
Kindly share with your friends and contacts worldwide.
Updates
September 28, 2016
The momentum is incredible. This shows how many people demand a free press in South Sudan.
Reached 100 supporters
September 28, 2016
61 Comments
Media is under-attack in South Sudan. Journalism is not criminal act or terrorism but a profession for elightenment. Kiir and his Government MUST open the newspaper.
For us to be free, our lips should'nt be stitched with bullets. We are a vocal society and for it, we sacrificed two and half millions of our compatriots. Stop gagging us from freedom of speech!
A free and independent media is a must in any democratic society, media houses should never be shut by executive fiat which will amount to executive recklessness and impunity. The South Sudanese authorities should immediately reopen the Nation Mirror newspaper. If it has committed any offence, the authorities should seek remedy in court.
For a "new" and young country South Sudan certainly has some outmoded attitudes towards freedom of expression and other salient human rights. Seems to me like the authorities are caught up in a perpetual state of war and have made the citizenry enemy combatants.
South Sudanese fought for freedom and liberty. These aspirations can never be achieved without media freedom. We call upon Mr. Salva Kirr to be a true the midwife free press in South Sudan
The closure of "The Nation Mirror and Citizen Newspapers" have left a big gap in media at this time when South Sudanese citizens need to be informed about peace process through media
The closure of nation mirror is unacceptable
The unlawful closure of the Nation Mirror news paper by the government of South Sudan is in violation of the transitional Constitution of the land. Hence, I sign this petition with a hope that the regime in Juba listen to the voices of wisdom, and re-open the news paper. May the freedom of the press always prevail Amol Mabior
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Media is under-attack in South Sudan. Journalism is not criminal act or terrorism but a profession for elightenment. Kiir and his Government MUST open the newspaper.