Don’t ban Journalists from covering Pope’s visit, rather register and accredit them -AMDISS to NSS.

NCMP – The South Sudan Association for Media Development has urged for collaboration between the National Security Service and the media ahead of the Pope’s arrival early next month.

After spending two days in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pope Francis, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and Moderator of the Church of Scotland will arrive in Juba on February 3rd.

However, AMDISS requested that the National Security Service reconsider convening a meeting and reviewing the media space in the country prior to the visit.

The group noted in a statement that it has seen with great worry that various media institutions have lately been barred from covering events in the nation.

“Such and other incidents translate into tense interactions between the media and government security organizations,” the statement said in part.

“Some of these situations breed distrust among journalists and security organizations, threatening South Sudan’s robust and pluralistic media,” it stated.

AMDISS emphasized the importance of the media in linking the people with the government by distributing critical information and calling for collaboration between the media and the security establishment.

However, the union urged journalists to rigorously adhere to South Sudan’s Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism.

It has recommended the media to register and receive credentials in order to cover the Pope’s visit.