As South Sudan prepares for its first-ever general elections since gaining independence in 2011, the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), with support from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), has launched a three-day training workshop in Bor, Jonglei State, aimed at strengthening ethical, conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive election reporting.
The workshop on Wednesday brings together journalists from Radio Jonglei, Adventist Radio, Voice of Reconciliation, Peace Radio, freelance journalists and members of the security sector to build trust, promote dialogue and enhance cooperation during the electoral period.
The initiative forms part of NPA’s broader support for democratic participation, peacebuilding and inclusive civic engagement by strengthening the role of independent media in promoting informed public debate and peaceful elections.
South Sudan’s anticipated elections are expected to mark a historic milestone in the country’s democratic journey. They also present significant responsibilities for the media to provide citizens with accurate, balanced and timely information while helping reduce misinformation, political polarisation and election-related violence.
Opening the training, Marina Modi, lead facilitator and a board member of the Media Authority, challenged journalists to uphold the principles of fairness, accuracy, impartiality and independence throughout the electoral process.
She cautioned journalists against accepting gifts, favours or financial incentives that could undermine public confidence in the media, stressing that professional integrity remains the cornerstone of credible election reporting.
“Journalists have a responsibility to inform the public without inflaming tensions. During elections, every story matters because it can either contribute to peace or fuel division,” Modi said.
She encouraged participants to carefully balance the public’s right to know with the responsibility to minimise harm, particularly when reporting on sensitive issues involving children, women, survivors of gender-based violence and vulnerable communities.
“It is important for us to protect our communities from harm during and after the elections. You have the duty to protect children, women and survivors of gender-based violence and avoid spreading hate speech. Responsible journalism can help build confidence in the electoral process and contribute to peaceful coexistence,” she added.
Throughout the training, participants are exploring key areas including election laws and regulations, ethical reporting, verification of information, conflict-sensitive journalism, digital safety, countering disinformation and strengthening collaboration between journalists and security institutions.
Special attention is also being given to inclusive reporting that reflects the diversity of South Sudanese society. Facilitators urged journalists to ensure that women, young people, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and other traditionally underrepresented groups are not overlooked in election coverage.
Rather than focusing predominantly on political elites and campaign rallies, journalists were encouraged to seek out women’s experiences and perspectives, report on issues affecting female voters and candidates, and provide equal opportunities for women to contribute to public discussions on governance and elections.
Participants discussed practical ways of addressing the gender gap in political reporting, including increasing the visibility of women experts and community leaders as news sources, avoiding gender stereotypes and producing stories that highlight women’s contributions to peacebuilding, civic participation and democratic governance.
Speaking during the opening, AMDISS Advocacy and Communication Manager Juma Peter Maya said the training is part of AMDISS’s nationwide media outreach programme designed to prepare journalists across the states and administrative areas for professional election coverage.
He said AMDISS would also conduct a series of community engagement activities in Bor and Torit involving radio listeners, opinion leaders, women’s groups and relevant government institutions.
The discussions will inform locally produced radio programmes that respond to community concerns, promote civic participation and encourage inclusive dialogue around the electoral process.
“Our objective is to strengthen the capacity of journalists to report elections professionally while ensuring that communities have access to accurate, balanced and inclusive information,” Maya said.
“We also want to create platforms where women, young people and other community members can share their views and participate meaningfully in public discourse through radio programming.”
Maya praised Norwegian People’s Aid for its continued partnership with AMDISS in supporting media development and democratic governance in South Sudan.
“NPA has remained one of AMDISS’s longstanding partners, supporting initiatives that strengthen independent journalism and civic engagement across South Sudan. This training demonstrates our commitment to promoting peaceful, credible and inclusive elections,” he said.
He further called on journalists and members of the security sector to maintain open communication and mutual respect throughout the electoral period, noting that constructive cooperation helps create a safer environment for media practitioners while enabling security agencies to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law.
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