President Salva Kiir Mayardit has ordered an urgent overhaul of the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), directing the Ministry of Information and other relevant government institutions to address challenges facing the national broadcaster ahead of the country’s planned December general elections.
Kiir issued the directive after receiving a progress report from Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny on the operational difficulties affecting SSBC.
According to a statement released by the President’s Press Department on Thursday, Kiir stressed the strategic importance of the national broadcaster and called for coordinated action to strengthen its capacity, professionalism and effectiveness.
“President Kiir underscored the strategic importance of SSBC and called for coordinated action to strengthen its capacity, professionalism and effectiveness,” the statement said.
The President directed the relevant institutions to work together to resolve the broadcaster’s challenges and ensure that SSBC is adequately equipped to carry out its public-service mandate.
“He directed the relevant institutions to work together to resolve the broadcaster’s challenges and ensure that SSBC is equipped to effectively inform, educate and entertain the people of South Sudan,” the statement added.
The directive comes as the country prepares for the December general elections, increasing the importance of a functioning national broadcaster capable of providing citizens with timely, accurate and accessible information.
SSBC is expected to play a key role during the electoral period by covering political activities, providing public information and supporting civic and voter education. Its ability to reach audiences across the country will also be important in ensuring that citizens can follow developments surrounding the electoral process.
President Kiir emphasised that the importance of SSBC extends beyond elections, describing a strong and functional public broadcaster as essential to national development, unity and public service.
The order therefore puts renewed attention on the broadcaster’s operational capacity and the need to address challenges that could limit its ability to effectively serve the public.
The government has not provided detailed information on the specific reforms expected or a timeline for implementing them. However, the President’s directive calls for relevant institutions to coordinate their efforts to resolve the problems facing the broadcaster.
The reforms could have implications for SSBC’s technical capacity, professional standards, programming and ability to expand its reach, particularly as the country enters a politically sensitive period.
Reliable access to public information is expected to become increasingly important as political parties, candidates and voters prepare for the elections. A stronger broadcaster could also provide a platform for public debate and help citizens understand the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Minister Ateny briefed President Kiir on his recent participation in a China-Africa Digital Cooperation engagement, where the Digital Cooperation Center for China and Africa were officially opened.
According to Ateny, the engagement focused on opportunities to strengthen digital cooperation and technological development between China and African countries.
The discussions come at a time when digital technology is increasingly shaping how news and public information are produced and distributed. For South Sudan’s national broadcaster, improved digital capacity could provide opportunities to expand its reach and modernise its operations.
For now, however, the immediate focus is on addressing SSBC’s existing challenges before the elections.
Kiir’s directive places the responsibility on the Ministry of Information and other government institutions to move quickly in strengthening the broadcaster.
With December approaching, the government faces pressure to ensure that SSBC is technically and professionally prepared to meet increased public demand for information during the electoral period.
The President’s call for an overhaul signal that strengthening the national broadcaster is being treated as part of the country’s broader preparations for the elections and its wider public-service responsibilities.
