SPLM SG Calls For Responsible National Media To Keep Citizens Informed Ahead of The Elections

The SPLM Secretary General, Cde. Dr. Akol Paul Kordit, officially opened a specialized capacity-building training program for SPLM Cadres and media practitioners in Juba, demonstrating the party's firm readiness for the upcoming democratic transition. 

Organized by the Presidential Press Unit and facilitated by expert trainers from FELT Africa Election Readiness Training, the program was attained by key government officials including Hon. Cde. David Yao Yao, Deputy Minister of Information and the Managing Director of the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) Hon. John Madol Panther, to rally the nation's press toward responsible reporting as the country prepares for elections.

Dr. Kordit noted that the training comes at a vital moment following recent actions when His Excellency Cde. Salva Kiir Mayardit, president of the Republic sign key legal amendments paving the way for the polls. Highlighting the pivotal role of communication in safeguarding national stability, he issued a strong call to action for a responsible national media, urging journalists and public communicators to step up as pillars of truth, keeping the population accurately updated and engaged as the country approaches the ballot.

"Our country needs more from us than us from our country" Dr. Kordit stated, reminding media practitioners of their historic responsibility as co-founders of the republic and role models for the younger generation. He cautioned that the media holds an immense power to either build or tear down a society, pointing to past international and domestic lessons, and implored communicators to deliberately shape a positive perspective centered on peace, hope, and reconciliation.

Comrade Secretary General further stressed that media professionals must anchor their reporting in strict professional ethics, rigorous fact-checking, collection, verification, and analysis, placing the public interest above all else. He called upon practitioners to utilize modern digital platforms responsibly, reinforcing a defining message for the nation's press.

The intensive training program, expertly guided by FELT Africa, equips SPLM Cadres, government communicators and journalists with vital technical skills across pre-, during-, and post-election coverage, ensuring that South Sudan's media landscape remains professional, transparent, and dedicated to national unity.