Media regulator want Radio Jonglei suspension lifted

Media regulatory body – Media Authority (MA) has called on the government of Jonglei State to lift the suspension of Radio Jonglei.

Media Authority Managing Director Elijah Alier Kuai wants the state Minister for Information and Communication to restore the station to air with no condition attached.

“Reference to the Ministerial Order No.001/2022, dated May 19, 2022, issued for the suspension of Radio Jonglei, Media Authority under its regulatory powers and duties do hereby advice your office to lift the suspension order with immediate effect and let Radio Jonglei resume its normal transmission freely without further interferences,” Kuai said.

He further told the state government to refrain from interfering with the editorial policies of independent media houses.

“Radio Jonglei is a registered community radio by law, independent of government, political and commercial forces,” he added.

“Procedurally, authorities in Jonglei State are hereby advised to desist from interfering with the independent editorial policies of media houses.”

Suspension

Jonglei State’s Minister for Information and Communication ordered the station closed for “undermining the leadership of the state”.

The minister claimed that the management of the radio station undermined the state government and protocols.

“I, Hon John Samuel Manyuon, Minister of Information and Communication Jonglei State, do, hereby, issue this ministerial Order No001/2022 for the suspension of Radio Jonglei 95.9 for intentionally supplanting and superseding the government protocols and undermining the state leadership,” the statement read.

“This order shall come into effect upon the signature by the minister today, May 19, 2022.”