By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Reporters Without Borders’ rating reveals a noteworthy development in East Africa’s media landscape. South Sudan, for the first time, outranked Uganda in the annual World Press Freedom Index.
The report, released to mark World Press Freedom Day, highlights a complex situation, with improvements in some areas for South Sudan, contrasted with ongoing challenges in Uganda.
The 2025 World Press Freedom Index places South Sudan at 109th, while Uganda sits at 143rd. This represents a shift from previous years, where Uganda generally held a stronger position in the index.
The report suggests several factors have contributed to South Sudan’s improved ranking. These include a decrease in reported incidents of direct violence against journalists, progress in legal frameworks or policy changes related to media freedom, and increased dialogue between the government and media stakeholders.
Despite these gains, the report emphasizes that journalists in both South Sudan and Uganda continue to face significant challenges. In South Sudan, these include economic pressures that hinder the ability of media outlets to operate independently, continued instances of intimidation and harassment, and difficulties in accessing information held by authorities.
In Uganda, journalists face increased legal restrictions on media activities, harassment and arrests of those critical of the government, challenges in covering sensitive topics such as political opposition or human rights abuses, and the use of digital surveillance and online censorship.
Omar Joseph Wani, a Legal Expert working with the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network, noted that although there has been progress in press freedom in the last year, journalists covering corruption, human rights abuses, and other sensitive topics operate in a risky environment.
Wani recalled that last year, South Sudan was ranked 136th globally, compared to 109th this year. He attributed this improvement to the collaborative efforts of the South Sudan Media Authority and other media stakeholders in creating a more conducive environment for journalists in the country.
He argued that for quality journalism to flourish, there must be press freedom to report on fundamental issues. “We need independent, ethical, and quality journalism more than ever before to report on critical issues facing the country. Press freedom and strong content complement and align with human rights, and in the pursuit of facts, evidence, and accountability, the media can build a society based on truths,” said Wani.
However, Wani added that a strong media cannot be built without resources, and the government should not only safeguard press freedom but also grant freedom of speech across the country, allowing citizens to engage with issues that matter to the nation.
Elijah Alier, Managing Director of the South Sudan Media Authority, acknowledged the challenging environment for journalists, citing ongoing political instability, poor infrastructure, and low literacy rates.
He noted that the Media Authority has registered 310 media entities, of which 129 are operational, and has accredited 138 professional national journalists, including technical journalists. All of these, he said, play a vital role in informing the public and promoting dialogue.
Alier further stated that the Media Authority recognizes the crucial role of a vibrant and independent media in South Sudan’s development. “We are committed to creating an enabling environment for media to thrive by promoting freedom of expression, access to information, and media plurality,” he said.
“We acknowledge that economic challenges continue to hamper the growth of the media sector, and we are working to address these challenges through partnerships with media stakeholders and international organizations,” Alier added. “The recent improvement in the press freedom ranking, from 136th place in 2024 to 109th this year, reflects the ongoing efforts to promote media freedom and protect journalists’ rights.”
He said that despite the progress, there is still work to be done in regulating the media in the best interest of the public. The Media Authority, he said, will work in partnership with law enforcement agencies to ensure freedom of expression and media independence without undue interference.
The Managing Director urged all media entities operating outside the legal framework to register with the Media Authority, so that they are legally recognized and supported by law, and can receive financial support from media partners. This support, he said, will be used to promote awareness of issues that affect media standards and to promote conflict-sensitive media reporting, which highlights the dangers of misuse, misinformation, and disinformation.
“To foster a conducive media regulatory environment, we must embrace a collaborative approach to establish trust among media stakeholders,” Alier said. “The Media Authority is mandated by the law to promote freedom of expression and the independence of professional, pluralistic media in the country. Therefore, let us recognize the vital role of media in promoting peace, reconciliation, unity, and development in South Sudan. By fostering and promoting ethical standards and creating an enabling environment for media to thrive, we can build a stronger, more democratic nation.”
South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Communication, Telecommunication, and Postal Services, Michael Makuei Lueth, stated that the government will respect the rights and freedoms of individuals and groups enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
He acknowledged the role played by the Media Authority in regulating media houses and engaging in constructive dialogue between security officers and media owners, which he said contributed to the recent improvement in the press freedom index.
“Without the Media Authority, constantly ensuring responsible reporting, the situation would be different,” Makuei said. “As a government, we enacted the Access to Information Act to ensure that you have the right to access information. And we have established the Information Commission. However, these laws have limitations. There is no absolute freedom. We have enacted laws and granted you your rights, but use them responsibly,” he cautioned journalists.
Makuei further added that the government has an obligation to create a vibrant, free, professional, and independent media, recognizing its role in national development. He said this is why the government has developed policies, journalists’ training programs, and a conducive regulatory environment, enhancing the development and promotion of media pluralism.
He said that to achieve press freedom, the government will continue to collaborate with media stakeholders, identify and address the challenges facing the industry. However, he stressed that journalists should adhere to the required ethical standards in their reporting. “Professionalism, accuracy, and impartiality are essential principles and obligations of ethical media reporting that reporters must respect and adhere to, because when you write about things that are not properly checked, you will find yourself in trouble,” Makuei concluded.