By Taban Tom Henry
Media Authority, the national media regulatory body responsible for regulating the work of journalism in South Sudan has yesterday announced the commencement of the accreditation of bona fide national journalist operating in the country.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday the managing director for Media Authority Elijah Alier stated that they are informing the media fraternity that media authority will commence the Accreditation of competent qualified journalists in the Republic of South Sudan effective Monday 17th October 2022.
He said the purpose of the accreditation is to certify working journalists and other qualified media practitioners in the country.
“Accreditation shall be granted only to an individual upon presentation of professional certificates, a recommendation letter duly issued by the media agency for which the media professional work and the filled application form. The form will be made available by the Media Authority,” he said.
Alier mentioned that media professionals seeking accreditation should submit their applications to the media Authority’s office during normal working hours adding that the accreditation of journalists shall be made in accordance with the media Authority Regulations on Accreditation of journalist, 2018.
“The requirements for the consideration of accreditation shall be, the applicant shall be a reporter, writer, editor, photographer and a film media production in any media organization or freelancer. University graduate in Journalism or a university graduate with a major in journalism with an internship of at least six months in media organization, any other graduate from a different profession, with at least one year of training or internship in a media organization,” he spelled out the requirement.
He said a journalist should produce a recommendation from the head of the media organization with whom he/she is working at present adding that a freelancer should produce recommendation from the union of Journalists of South Sudan.
“Accredited journalist shall have the rights to attend briefings, press conferences, press releases by the government or public sector organizations and other events organized for the press, inclusion in official visits by the state and government officials,” Alier added.