(JUBA) – A South Sudanese media delegation has returned from a study tour to South Africa, presenting a detailed report to the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services (MICT&PS) on their visits to key media institutions. The tour took place in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and the historical town of Soweto.
The delegation, led by the Undersecretary of Information and Minister of ICT&PS, Ateny Wek Ateny, engaged with a range of South African media organisations and regulatory bodies. The visit aimed to learn best practices in media management, government communication systems, and press regulation to support South Sudan’s media development, particularly in preparation for the upcoming general elections.
Speaking after the briefing, the Director General of Information, Victor Bullen Baba, said that Minister Ateny was impressed with the insights gained during the tour. The Minister pledged to strengthen collaboration with South African media institutions to enhance the capacity, professionalism, and independence of media in South Sudan.
The delegation visited the South African Department of Government Information and Communication Systems, the Press Council, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the editors’ forum, and other media regulatory bodies. They examined how South African institutions manage public information, regulate media standards, and ensure ethical reporting practices.
| Institution Visited | Focus Area | Key Lessons for South Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Government Information | Public communication systems | Centralised government media management |
| Press Council | Media regulation | Oversight of ethics and standards |
| SABC | Broadcasting operations | Professional production and audience engagement |
| Editors’ Forum | Editorial leadership | Training, collaboration, and governance |
The Ministry of ICT&PS noted that the study tour provides practical recommendations for enhancing media operations in South Sudan. These include improving government communication, developing media regulatory frameworks, and promoting training programmes for journalists and media professionals.
The visit comes as South Sudan prepares for national elections, which the Ministry claimed indicated the government’s commitment to supporting a free, professional, and accountable media environment that can provide accurate information to the public.
