A report by a regional media development organisation has raised a red flag over the increased attacks on freedom of the media during the COVID-19 period. The report, produced by the Uganda-based African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME), notes that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the already fragile press freedom situation in South Sudan, with journalists being continuously subjected to violence and acts of intimidation across the country.

Government’s hostility towards the media has forced many independent media houses in South Sudan to embrace self- censorship as a tool for safety. The government in South Sudan controls the media and this threatens the independence of journalists and media houses. The iron hand from the security poisoned the working environment for journalists in the country, feeding the public on unbalanced news including stories on government policies, as William Dhieu, head of the Communication Studies department at the University of Juba explains.