Home | News    Wednesday 19 May 2010

South Sudan warns Miraya FM radio against inciting violence

email Email
print Print
pdfSave
separation
increase
decrease
separation
separation

May 18, 2010 (JUBA) – A UN-sponsored Miraya FM radio is under serious warning by the minister of Information and Broadcasting, Paul Mayom Akech, who accused the media house of inciting ethnic violence in Southern Sudan through its broadcasting pattern.

Paul Mayom AkechMayom on Tuesday said Miraya FM has "exceeded its mandate" which was supposed to disseminate the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and enhance peace in the region.

He said the recent broadcasting of news by the radio were inciting ethnic violence in Southern Sudan and demanded that the radio’s editorial body be reviewed including "at worst" dismissing all the staff that are there and replacing them with "people who would be conscious of the interest of the people of Southern Sudan."

He called for the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), the body that owns and sponsors Miraya FM, to publicly apologize to the people of Southern Sudan for airing divisive news to the population.

This is "for the people of Southern Sudan to know that we have not let matters flow as others wish," he said.

The information minister issued the warning during his meeting with the head of UN in Southern Sudan, David Gressly, and gave the radio administration one week to put the editorial body in order or the radio would be closed down.

Mayom also warned another Juba-based private radio, Bakhita, against concentrating on local politics instead of religious programs, saying the government would also be forced to withdraw its license.

Miraya FM was established soon after the formation of the Government of Southern Sudan in 2005. Most of its staff are Southern Sudanese.

The government’s official spokesperson cited the recent broadcasting of renegade Gen. George Athor Deng’s demands by the radio as one of the issues that amounted to incitement of violence in the region.

(ST)

Comments on the Sudan Tribune website must abide by the following rules. Contravention of these rules will lead to the user losing their Sudan Tribune account with immediate effect.

- No inciting violence
- No inappropriate or offensive language
- No racism, tribalism or sectarianism
- No inappropriate or derogatory remarks
- No deviation from the topic of the article
- No advertising, spamming or links
- No incomprehensible comments

Due to the unprecedented amount of racist and offensive language on the site, Sudan Tribune tries to vet all comments on the site.

There is now also a limit of 400 words per comment. If you want to express yourself in more detail than this allows, please e-mail your comment as an article to comment@sudantribune.com

Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.
  • 19 May 2010 06:13, by Gatwech

    What?

    Is press censorship at play in South Sudan.

    repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 06:22, by Jerie

      No, it is not.

      He did not close down the station, nor ordered them to say what the government wants. He just asked the stations to stop engaging in airing divisive messages, and that is at play everywhere in the whole world, including the mighty USA. If you don’t know the danger of airing divisive politics through the waves, then revisit the Rwanda genocide.

      repondre message

      • 19 May 2010 06:51, by Gatwech

        Jerie,

        You are very naive my dear. Can you tell me the difference between press censorship and telling the media house not to air news about a renegade general?

        Is this what the minister called divisive news?

        Ahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...........

        My dear, telling the press not to air news about an opposition figure amounts to press censorship....

        The BBC and other advanced media houses have been airing such kinds of news about wars, oppostion groups, ruling parties, etc. Why would it be an exception in the case of George Athor in South Sudan if that is not press censorship?

        Oh, some body has just reminded me that Paul Mayom is the same minister who refuses to pay his staff housing allowances for 12 months. I hope he will also fire them for going on strike.

        This caretaker minister should be fired in the next government. He is doing a desservice or may be spoiling Salva Kiir’s leadership knowingly using such kinds of actions.

        repondre message

      • 19 May 2010 12:37, by Jupiter Maguangdit

        Dear readers,

        The minister in question should not be blamed for this irresponsible statement due to the following reasons:

        1) The Head of GOSS who placed him in that position should be the one to blame because the minister does not know anything about the importance of media.Paul Mayom Akec is a lawyer by profession and therefore,he should not be appointed to that position.

        2) Alcohol dealers in Juba should be blamed for bringing in these drugs because the minister was under the influence of beer while releasing his statement.

        repondre message

        • 19 May 2010 13:12, by kuoldit

          Dear Commentators,don’t utter a word without thinking b,se your comment is abusives.Why don’t write maturely? iam not discouraging you to comment but constructvely, so i need you to have a positive criticism b’se no one is 100% non fortfolio or fortfolio minster so please avoid childish behaviour on this public web

          repondre message

      • 20 May 2010 05:06, by makalier

        I agreed with you mr. Jerie. These NGOs are part of the problem in our region and The GOss should keep their promises for shutting them down if they do not comply with the government mandates. Let them go whereever they want to. Every country in the world has it own ways of dealing with internal conflicts and let alone NGOS who do not know anything about Sudan in general.

        repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 13:09, by okucu pa lotinokwan

      To Gatwech
      Our Government,GoSS has the right to close any Radio if they are misleading the community in South Sudan.For Miraya FM Radio according to the minister for information and Braocasting statement H.E Mayom he said,there are some wrong journalist within the Miraya FM staff, who do report wrong it,but pro the government in Khartoum.And this need correction by the Administrator of Miraya otherwise...

      repondre message

      • 19 May 2010 16:34, by Muor-cinkok Tungawan

        Use of power in a grassroots level to people who are virus to Goss is not alternatives for us in Southern Sudan

        Southern Sudan is not familiar yet with way to deal with it internal problems like FM staff, warning Miraya FM radio is indeed assurance but not enough to maintain the staff that had not been for 12 months.
        The best policies and necessary strategy for the government of southern Sudan in these echoic situations is to promised they staff to waits for stable and re-arrangement of Goss within week one or two weeks on because they had wait for long period of time and no need they should again be warned.

        The work of ministers in Goss has different tone and they are losing direction which they are supposed to be because some of the ministers are using ministerial forces as tools of intimidation to the nations owners of the government but, according the government polices around the world, they are people truth and qualify to delivering services to people not to themselves. They should have a necessarily knowledge and experiences to talks with nation members who is not convincing with government services.

        In Southern, people wonder what ministers said went they campaigning to be elected into government positions. The simpler equation for them to know as an assignment to work on is to win the hearts of people so that they can acknowledge task assuming to be right thing to do. Our ministers sleeping 24/7 enjoying the cokes that they supposed to enjoy with 99% of southerners who have no chance in getting in to the position of minister and yet they are prevail negatively upon people.

        I have an idea to ask you question here;

        • Do Goss need enemies to reach capital Juba like Miraya FM demonstrator’s and then they response?
        • Why Goss is so silent in the continuing aggression of LRA in western Equatoria cities like Tambura, Yambio and mebia and other areas, are the not part of south?
        • Is brutality killing of LRA militias better then killing of Arab which we took army against them? According to my understand as ordinary member of the society in southern Sudan ,these are part government tasks that they should addressed and responsible by meant like what honourable Mr Akech Riak done today in addressing inciting violence’s in southern Sudan but ,I didn’t heard an statement of the government since amid to many crisis facing Goss rather than today. A part from that, there are many issues relate to these arena which are not supposed to be condense even a minute by the government of Southern Sudan. Government of south is complete lucking creativity and languages of expressing their concern in and out destabilisation in South.

        Southern should wave from its vulnerability to ensure the safety of people rather than making show off on position they gotten. Our partner has shown its full scale of power today in Jebel moon bombatment, the NIF official operation in Jebel moon rebel strong hold is a threat as newly elected government because they are showing us their strength force capacity they had gain in past five CPA.

        They are desperately destroying anybody who is not complying with their evolution and i believe Southern Sudan would be a next target as soon NCP deployed their revenge Athor in the corner heart of southern Sudan.
        If we disagreed with them not say yes, yes, yes like what we do to accomplished their policies like election and referendum arrangement delay and then will bombed us like Jebel moon and no doubted about it and this is what looming when you see LRA in the western and Athor deployed in heart shore ,threating us days and nights and Goss quiet pressing him without doing disciple as North initiative.

        repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 06:21, by Kur

    Terrorists like Athor should not have access to legitimate media coverage. It does not make sense. If criminals can be allowed to air their crimes, what would be the purpose of the media ?Freedom of media should not be abused by encouraging evil in the name of freedom. Freedom comes with responsibilities. It is therefore the responsibility of the press to obey laws and security concern of the people of South Sudan.

    Kur

    repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 06:56, by Gatwech

      SPLM/A used to air its rebellious demands against Khartoum using media. Eventhough Khartoum used to call SPLM/A a terrorist organization, it did not tell the Ethiopian government nor the BBC and the rest not to air its messages.

      Now you are replicating what Khartoum has been doing. "Press Censorship!" and that is all.

      repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 06:30, by Madhod

    I don’t think Miraya FM Radio has done or violated anything here, rather than forcasting the facts. To me SPLM is trying to silence the media from reporting things that are not favorable by the SPLM party. Mr. Mayom Akech needs to understand the freedom of speech, and he needs to know that the media doesn’t have to report thing that SPLM wants to hear, otherwise, it won’t be called a good journalism. We need to set an example to the world that, the GoSS is not like the NCP party in the North who always censor the news in their favor. Reporting the facts doesn’t translate into inciting violence, it simply means that the reporter is giving us the information as it happened. SPLM needs to know that we are no longer in struggle movement, but in a transformation stage to be a better government, which allows freedom of speech, liberty, fair election, and all the things that comes with it. If the SPLM leadership is not ready for this, then it needs to vocate the leadership seat to a person who understand what freedom is.

    repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 07:11, by Gatwech

      Madhod,

      Thumbs up man! I like your clear mind on the issue. The SPLM/GOSS in the person of Paul Mayom wants to keep the public deaf and in darkness about what is going on with George Athor’s forces in Jonglei state as he gets closer to Bor town, period.

      But is it right to keep the public in darkness?

      repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 08:05, by kalkada

      Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them. the minister of Information and Broadcasting, Paul Mayom is sending a wrong signal to the world.

      what is the differences between SPLA and NCP?

      what is the differences between New Sudan (south sudan) and Old Sudan?

      actually I don’t see differences. In the north, we been ruled by Shaigia and Jalia
      and now in the south we are rule by dinka and nuer, 80% of positions are held by them. some ministers aren’t qualify for the job, unfortunatlythey given position because they are from the static quo.

      those Bashir era folks with old mentality, move out the way and let the young folks with open minded rule new Sudan.

      repondre message

      • 19 May 2010 08:18, by Sudan virus

        Kalkada the difference is that ,SPLM is leading an born country under a threat of matured bulling country the north under the brutal ruling of NCP -a world criminal party.

        The solution to fire out break is to set fire towards the fire.

        In other wards, the situation in the south at the moment do not allow excessive freedom, what you dream of will be certain after secession of the south in the 2011 referendum.

        patient pays.

        repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 08:07, by Sudan virus

    Good observation minister Paul Akech!

    The editor is responsible for all these nonsenses at side of the Radio miraya fm and you are responsible on side of the government of south Sudan.

    Miraya fm have several times bewitch our president elect Salva Kiir to die and you keft quite of the issue.

    The program officer/administrator of miraya fm must organize refreshment training for their staff who are vias against the people of southern Sudan.

    Thank you Akech

    repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 08:11, by Gai Kuol Deng

    Your excellency,

    Where have you been, this so-call Miraya FM and Bhakita Radio have done alot of damage in our society; you should have closed them down all together.

    Any entity or individual that engaged on inciting enmity amongst our people deserve no forgiveness.
    If that is press freedom then it has to be erased in our constitution.

    Follow your words please and Godbless the people of South Sudan.

    repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 09:53, by Gievn Mundari

      Scorpion and his group Maal Maker and Lomeling should fired for inciting violence act faster Minister thank you.

      repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 09:48, by king

    Calm down uncle Paul Mayom Akech, don’t be panic and start threatening or intimidating innocent media because they didn’t create the rebellion of general Athor. Your SPLM/A or GoSS created this conflict. You aggravate the existing charges of intimidating and threatening by your SPLM/A or GoSS. Or if you want go ahead and close them down and come and differentiate between your GoSS and NCP to the world. Uncle Paul this sign are due to your incompetent GoSS and if you con’t handle to leader leave and let us look for someone who can handle. We aren’t happy when we hear all kind of threatening and intimidating from government officials. Please don’t make it worse you already created the mess there is nothing you going to be shame about it. Just let it go through your skin and it is not going to hurt you if you not going to be panic and cuase you heard attack.

    repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 11:01, by jur_likang_a_ likan’g

      What a shock! Is it all, Paul Mayom? Do not Mayomise South Sudanese, Mr Paul Mayom. Southern Sudanese fought for truth and for truth they will stand. South Sudan is a monopoly of a person or a party. The truth must ooze out to the people or else what we see now through your eyes and mouth is a determination of building a dictatorial government similar to the one of Mengistu Haile Mariam, Robert Mugabe where the freedom of press is crippled and freedom of assembly killed prior to planning to exterminating political opponents or critics for that matter. Please take care the world is small there is more gain by being tolerant to critics and building friendship with the world than working to destroy our good relationship with the world community. It is not you as a Minister of Goss to dictate on a world body to do. The opposite should be the norm. Remember without the assistance from the west you would not be enjoying the white Bull Beer in Juba. Note also it will not be like that permanently. Take it simple bro.

      repondre message

      • 19 May 2010 23:11, by Madhod

        You got a point brother, but you have used the word ooze in a wrong sentence.

        repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 11:11, by Abednego Majack Macharial

      Hehehe. Did I hear what you said uncle Paul that Miray FM has exceed its mandate?. Is it that Miraya FM has not been praising and singing your song?. What is freedom of expression as said in the ICSS?. So you have begin it again the issue of media censorship. What do you think will be the difference between SPLM in Juba and NCP in Khartoum? You are bitter because Gen. Gearge Athor was interviewed by Miraya FM. Just go over your SSTV and radio station as the official spokeperson of SPLM and said that all doors are closed for negotiations instead of blaming others. Media is the ear and eye of the community. The editoral staff in Miraya FM are also professionals who knows media ethics. Is this how SPLM will handle political crisis in the future Republic of South Sudan?. I doubt the future of existence of SPLM unless you guys sweep the room before it is too late.

      repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 14:20, by Paul Lokuji Micah daudi

    That’s great CUR Mayom
    The media in Southern Sudan should be put into right track otherwise it will be a new Rwanda in South Sudan;
    Miraya FM as its a UN base thing is full of people whom actually don’t care for the good in Southern Sudan that’s why they like to cause tribal conflict but that time had gone,curb their hands and cut off their fingers respectable minister before they cause more harm than good,any way where can the UN throw its staff to work its only looking for more conflict in Africa to find jobs for its trouble makers like David Grisly and others to accommodate them in the UN

    repondre message

    • 19 May 2010 16:05, by Machingela gai

      I think that those medias need to be under supervision of SPLM where they were licensed to operate in South Sudan.
      It is not right that they went beyond their required services.
      And government has the right to watch their movement and what they do in their day in and day out. If they don’t comply with the rule of media, else let them seek their place to work.
      What they have been doing is over and enough for us.
      This is not a violation of freedom of speech or expreesion, but it is a moral code of conduct to act fashionly in a respectful ways.

      repondre message

      • 19 May 2010 17:46, by marie

        I have been listening to Miraya FM for the last one year and I have never listened to any program to incite tribal conflict that the radio has aired. Democracy is a bitter pill to slow for our people in South Sudan.
        It is true a media should be non-partisan, that was why Miraya was able to air the interview of the George Athor who rebelled against SPLA. The fact remains that, Athor is fighting against SPLA wheather people decide to shun him or not.
        I think it is good for the masses to know what the man is thinking instead of only hearing the side story of GOSS

        repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 17:40, by Gatluak Latjor

    Good directions Sir for the common good of South Sudan, but what about those mouths whose rumours are the fatal weopons our enemies invest on.

    repondre message

  • 19 May 2010 17:51, by Akuma

    Rwanda genocide of 1994 that killed 800,000 of people were due to RLTM radio incitment. we need to be carefuly when broadcasting news

    Dr. Akuma,
    Chicago, USA

    repondre message

    • 20 May 2010 09:44, by Afredo christiani

      Dear Manager or who ever deleting my comments

      For your information deleting my comments will not promote you or increase your salary. I will create another account, there are no ways to defeat me on this website or stop me to make comments full stop

      repondre message

      • 20 May 2010 14:49, by jur_likang_a_ likan’g

        Master Akuma,

        Please free yourself from lies. The genocide in Rwanda was not initiated by the use of Radio. It was however initiated by discord and hatred the Hutus had against the Tutsi. While I do not know the reason behind it. It is crystal clear that the Hutus might have had problems with Tutsi before this bad incidence happened. My fear is that the unbalanced tribal arrmy of South Sudan can do the same thing the Hutus army did to the Tutsis in South Sudan. Since the majority of those soldiers went to bush to enable them revenge on fellow Southerners who had different political opinions on the political status of South Sudan prior to 1983.

        repondre message

Comment on this article



GOOGLE POWERED

 
 

The following ads are provided by Google. SudanTribune has no authority on it.


Sudan Tribune

Promote your Page too

Latest Comments & Analysis


Africa and the ICC: a dynamic relationship 2013-05-24 09:19:39 By Tiina Intelmann May 23, 2013 - The relationship between Africa and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is remarkable in its history, and dynamic. Africa and the ICC share the fundamental (...)

NCP Parliament Speaker will not negotiate with those who carry arms 2013-05-23 08:09:52 By Mahmoud A. Suleiman May 22, 2013 - This article comes on the backdrop of the war drums beating campaign orchestrated by the National Congress Party (NCP) regime Parliament Speaker, Ahmed (...)

At the Mercy of the Sky, South Sudanese professionals 2013-05-23 08:02:35 By Suzanne Jambo May 22, 2013 - "I have nothing to hide and I walk away with my head high. There was absolutely no board meeting to discuss my issue. The reason given were unilateral spending (...)


MORE




VIDEOS



Latest Press Releases


FAO expands support for national food security information systems for decision makers 2013-05-24 00:41:30 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO expands support for national food security information systems for decision makers They say information is power; in South Sudan, (...)

Sudan: Anatomy of a Conflict—New Report from Harvard Humanitarian Initiative 2013-05-22 00:46:46 Harvard Researchers Publish Satellite Imagery-Based History of Conflict in Sudan 2000+ Civilian Structures Appear Intentionally Destroyed; Humanitarian Agencies Targeted May 21, 2013 (...)

Wau Dialogue W. Bahr el-Ghazal state 13-15 May 2013 2013-05-13 14:41:35 South Sudan Law Society 13th-April-2013 Citizen of Western Bhar el-Ghazal State calls for limitations of President Powers and the Independence of Executive, Legislature and Judiciary and (...)


MORE
sports society politics military health general finances education environment economy culture

Copyright © 2003-2013 SudanTribune - All rights reserved.