The mayor of Nimule Municipality, Eastern Equatoria State, on Tuesday urged journalists to adhere to ethical standards and remain neutral as South Sudan prepares for general elections expected in December this year.
Caesar Longa Fuli made the remarks at the opening of a three-day training workshop on election coverage in the border town of Nimule.
“Elections belong to all citizens equally,” Longa said. “Your role is not to promote individuals or political interests, but to provide balanced information that enables voters to make informed decisions. Professional journalism strengthens democracy.”
The workshop was organized by the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) with support from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).
At least 30 participants, including journalists and security officers from Greater Magwi County, are attending the training. Organizers said it aims to strengthen journalists’ capacity for ethical election reporting and improve working relations between the media and security agencies during the electoral period.
Nimule, a strategic commercial town on South Sudan’s border with Uganda, hosts both South Sudanese citizens and foreign nationals. Longa said responsible reporting on cross-border and electoral activities would help bridge information gaps and promote public understanding.
He noted high levels of illiteracy in parts of the country and encouraged journalists to adopt inclusive approaches, including the use of local languages, to ensure civic and electoral information is accessible.
“Every citizen deserves access to accurate and understandable information regardless of educational level, gender, age, physical ability or location,” he said.
Longa also called on media practitioners to uphold integrity and professionalism to maintain public trust.
“Let peace and unity be the foundation of every story you tell,” he said.
Jacob Atem, media rights coordinator at Norwegian People’s Aid, encouraged participants to use the training to deepen their understanding of ethical election coverage.
“NPA has been supporting the people of South Sudan for many decades, and we remain committed to standing with the people of South Sudan,” Atem said.
South Sudan is preparing for what officials have described as its first general elections since independence. Media advocates say free independent journalism will be critical to ensuring credible reporting during the electoral process in the politically fragile country.