The independent Media houses in South Sudan have been blocked from covering the ongoing court trial of the Opposition leader, Dr Riek Machar Teny and seven others.
While the media was gearing up to cover the high profiled court hearing today most of them were blocked from covering the event.
Only the state-owned broadcaster, the South Sudan Broadcasting Cooperation was allowed to broadcast it live.
In respond to the obstruction of media from the coverage, some of the journalists expressed disappointment.
Speaking to Nile Witness News Madding Kuot a freelance Journalist in Juba said he was denied entrance despites having all the necessary requirement.
“They denied me entry at the freedom, stating that media houses are not allowed except for the SSBC. This so bad how can we informed our people and the world at large” Kuot said
On his part Jok Kuol a journalist from one of the local radio stations in Juba called on the government to cease interrupting access to information through blocking Journalists.
“We were denied entrance, this is violation the law on access to information and press freedom, so the government must cease” he said.
Meanwhile the Union of Journalists of South Sudan UJOSS released the statement condemning the blocking of the independent media from covering the event.
“Furthermore, the denial of access to court for journalists is a direct attack on freedom of the press found in Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011, as amended articles, 24 and 32, UJOSS condemns this act unequivocally, especially, when the denial is facilitated by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs which is supposed to be the institution protecting the constitution” the statement partly read
“UJOSS urges the government to grant media/journalists full access to cover the trial of Dr. Riek Machar and his co-accused and any other trial of public interest” it added.
However, President of the Special Court, Honourable Judge James Alala while reading the Court ground rules said the session is opened to all media houses.
“The court session is open to all media” Judged Alala said.
Meanwhile Civil society Activist said he was also blocked from accessing the venue to attend the court hearing.
“This morning, I arrived at Freedom Hall at approximately 8:00 AM to attend a court proceeding scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM, in my professional capacity as a civil society representative. Despite my early arrival, I was denied entry under the pretext of being late a claim that is entirely false” he said.
