The international outrage over last week’s killing of South Sudanese journalist Peter Julius Moi is understandable, particularly in view of the fact that only days earlier the country’s president had warned journalists “working against the country” of dire consequences. While it is not clear who executed or ordered Moi’s killing, the African Media Initiative is concerned that murder has become too common as the weapon of choice against journalists who dare challenge the misuse of power, expose corruption or refuse to compromise the ethical principles of their profession.
We at Ami are at one with those who believe in freedom of the media and protection of journalists and condemn unequivocally this dastardly murder of Moi.
We at Ami are at one with those who believe in freedom of the media and protection of journalists and condemn unequivocally this dastardly murder of Moi.
In just over two months, on November 2, the world will be marking theInternational Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists in furtherance of the UN’s landmark resolution adopted in 2012 for a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. If for nothing else, and as the newest member of the UN, South Sudan is morally and legally obliged to demonstrate its commitment to that resolution by prosecuting those responsible for Moi’s death and implementing the necessary laws to protect journalists.
The African Media Initiative (AMI) is a pan-African organization that seeks to strengthen the continent’s private and independent media sector from an owner and operator perspective to promote democratic governance, social development and economic growth.
It does so through a set of strategic activities aimed at transforming the media and communications landscape on the continent. AMI’s overall goal is to promote the development of pluralistic media as a necessary and critical ingredient of democratic governance, as well as economic and human development in Africa.
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