(JUBA) – Activists and media experts in South Sudan have raised concern about the growing levels of online bullying, gender stereotyping, discrimination, and intimidation targeting women and girls. They are calling for stronger legal frameworks to ensure digital spaces become safe for all users.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, said the abuse has continued for too long without adequate response. Speaking to media, he urged the National Media Authority to issue directives that warn against such behaviour, noting that social media should be a tool for building unity rather than a platform for rights violations.
Marina Modi, Chairperson of the Media Mentors’ Network, voiced similar concern and pointed to the dangers posed by misinformation and disinformation in South Sudan’s fragile media environment. She said that delays in official communication create space for false information to circulate quickly, often misleading the public.
Marina called for the introduction of crisis communication strategies to provide timely and accurate information to citizens. Without these efforts, she warned, trust in public institutions could weaken further. She also pressed for tougher laws to ensure those responsible for online harassment and abuse are held accountable.
Responding to the concerns, Advocate Wani Stephen said the government has already taken steps to address the situation. He highlighted the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Act of 2021 as well as new media regulations currently under review. He explained that authorities are working with the Media Authority, the National Communication Authority, and international social media companies such as Facebook and WhatsApp to help reduce harmful content.
Stephen further said that the government intends to strengthen its response through public awareness campaigns, journalist training, and community dialogues to tackle hate speech and the spread of false information.
However, he cautioned that it will not be easy to strike the right balance between regulation and free speech. He warned that overly strict laws may risk silencing critical voices if not applied carefully, stressing that protecting women and girls online must go hand in hand with safeguarding open debate.
