South Sudan Media Authority: Journalist Guidelines Prioritize Displaced People Safety

• Journalists in South Sudan were recently urged to prioritize the safety, dignity, and rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their reporting.
• Guidelines from the South Sudan Media Authority emphasize obtaining informed consent, assessing publication risks, and avoiding re-traumatization of survivors.
• Experts highlighted that refugees and IDPs are rights holders protected by South Sudan's legal framework, not merely vulnerable individuals.
• The "do no harm" principle is crucial, particularly when covering sensitive cases involving women, children, and survivors of violence.
• Specialized training is essential for journalists to navigate the legal, humanitarian, and social complexities of displacement in South Sudan responsibly.

Crucially, Mawien emphasized that refugees, IDPs, and individuals with disabilities should not be perceived merely as vulnerable subjects, but rather as rights holders explicitly protected by law.

Journalists operating in South Sudan have received a strong call to action, urging them to elevate the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) when reporting on their experiences. This critical directive emerged from a recent training session focused on paralegal and trauma-informed reporting, which convened a diverse group of media professionals, human rights defenders, and other key stakeholders. A central warning delivered during the event highlighted that insensitive or careless coverage could inadvertently expose these vulnerable populations to further harm, underscoring the significant ethical responsibilities involved.

Gabriel Mawien, who serves as the director of data management at the South Sudan Media Authority, articulated a clear and unequivocal principle: "Safety comes first always." He emphasized that journalists must undertake a thorough assessment of potential risks to interviewees before any information concerning their circumstances is published. This includes meticulously evaluating whether an interview location provides adequate security and privacy, and critically, whether the public dissemination of their stories could provoke retaliation from family members, community groups, or even armed factions. The overarching message was a demand for heightened awareness and a proactive approach to safeguarding those whose narratives are brought to light.

The South Sudan Media Authority's guidelines, as presented by Gabriel Mawien, outlined several imperative ethical and legal obligations for journalists. Reporters are mandated to secure informed consent from individuals, actively protect survivors from any additional harm, and scrupulously avoid publishing identifying details such as names, photographs, or precise locations of refugees and IDPs if such disclosures could expose them to persecution or other significant dangers. Mawien further elaborated on the principles of trauma-informed journalism in South Sudan, advocating for an approach that extends beyond the conventional journalistic framework of "who, what, where, when, and why." Instead, he encouraged reporters to consider how their narratives could be constructed without re-traumatizing survivors, advising them to "Listen more, question less." He also stressed the importance of journalists familiarizing themselves with available referral mechanisms, enabling them to direct survivors encountered during their reporting to appropriate support organizations.

Crucially, Mawien emphasized that refugees, IDPs, and individuals with disabilities should not be perceived merely as vulnerable subjects, but rather as rights holders explicitly protected by law. He pointed out that South Sudan's legal framework provides significant safeguards for refugees, including protections against forced repatriation to areas where they might face peril. Echoing this sentiment, James Bidal Roba, who heads the Secretariat of the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network, underscored the journalist's responsibility to bridge the gap between vulnerable communities and the justice system. Roba urged reporters to gain a thorough understanding of relevant laws, meticulously verify facts, and report incidents with factual accuracy, particularly when covering abuses occurring in refugee settlements and areas hosting displaced populations. He stated, "Your first task is to report the responsibility," and stressed the importance of following up on cases to ensure justice is delivered, advocating for the consistent application of the journalist 'do no harm' principle South Sudan, especially in cases involving women, children, and other survivors of violence.

The urgent call for enhanced ethical reporting standards is particularly salient given South Sudan's complex displacement landscape. The nation serves as both a country of origin for refugees and a host to those fleeing conflicts in neighboring states, including Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Furthermore, a substantial number of South Sudanese citizens remain internally displaced within their own borders or live as refugees in other countries. Oyet Patrick Charles, president of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, noted that displacement is not solely a result of conflict but also stems from natural disasters, such as widespread flooding, making responsible reporting increasingly vital across various contexts.

Journalists reporting refugees IDPs South Sudan, therefore, require a comprehensive grasp of the legal, humanitarian, and social complexities surrounding displacement to ensure their coverage is both accurate and responsible. Oyet highlighted that specialized training has become indispensable for journalists, who are frequently tasked with covering intricate issues that extend beyond their immediate areas of expertise. Bakhita Stephen, a senior policy and advocacy officer at Nonviolent Peaceforce, reinforced the necessity for journalists to maintain independence and to center affected communities in their narratives. She warned that biased reporting carries the risk of inflicting further harm upon refugees and IDPs, advocating instead for allowing affected individuals to articulate their own experiences rather than having others speak on their behalf. Stephen concluded that ethical reporting holds paramount importance in communities impacted by violence, as media coverage significantly shapes public perception and treatment of these groups. The various speakers collectively called for enhanced cooperation among all stakeholders to uphold these critical reporting standards.

Lawyers advising media entities in South Sudan should be aware of the heightened ethical and legal responsibilities when reporting on refugees and IDPs, particularly concerning informed consent, privacy, and the 'do no harm' principle, to mitigate risks of legal action or harm to vulnerable individuals. Compliance officers in humanitarian organizations should note the emphasis on protecting rights holders and ensuring media interactions align with legal safeguards for displaced persons.

Source: Reporting from a recent South Sudan training session.