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.

A South Sudan media expert has blamed the increasing number of journalists leaving the profession to the heightened threats and attacks that media personnel face at work.William Dhiue, a Journalism Lecturer at the University of Juba, said that several journalists now prefer to join other sectors rather than continue to work as journalists.“The journalists have migrated to either government offices as public relations officers or they have taken up humanitarian jobs as communication officers.