Government blocks access to Radio Tamazuj website, observers condemn decision
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Elisabeth Janaina
Jul 18, 2017, 11:53:17 AM7/18/17
to southsudankob
JUBA - 18 Jul 2017
Government blocks access to Radio Tamazuj website, observers condemn decision
South Sudan’s government has cut off access to the website of the news
service Radio Tamazuj, a spokesman of the government said.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed to Bloomberg that
the block went into effect Monday. “If they have been disseminating
hostile messages towards us then we have the authority to close them,”
he was quoted as saying.
Users of some mobile phones and Wi-Fi networks in South Sudan since
yesterday explained that their browsers told them that the Radio
Tamazuj website “has been blocked by South Sudan National
Communication Authority. “The users also had problem accessing other
news websites commonly visited by South Sudanese readers.
An engineer, who preferred anonymity, told Radio Tamazuj that the
decision came after a meeting held by South Sudan authorities over the
past three weeks to block news websites they perceive posing a threat
to the current government in Juba.
He further said the government had instructed a Chinese
telecommunications equipment and systems company known as ZTE to block
the website of the news service Radio Tamazuj.
But Radio Tamazuj's broadcasts on shortwave radio are unaffected and
will continue uncensored.
Several activists and political observers condemned the government of
South Sudan for blocking popular and independent news websites through
its internet service providers.
Alfred Taban, head of the Association for Media Development in South
Sudan, condemned the decision taken by the government to block news
websites in South Sudan.
He pointed out that the media body will discuss the issue. “Blocking
the news websites is not good. People should have access to
information, so what happened is wrong,” said Alfred.
Alfred, who is also a member of the national dialogue committee set up
by President Kiir, said the issue will be discussed within the
national dialogue committee.
“The issue was brought to us today. I mean the blocking of news
websites would be discussed but I don’t know the date, so as members
of the national dialogue committee, we said the people of South Sudan
should be given their freedom to express themselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil society activist Edmund Yakani criticized the
decision taken by the government saying the right of access to
information is one of the fundamental human rights.
“If there is any incorrect information disseminated by the news
websites, there should be legal processes instead of blocking them.
The people in South Sudan are lacking information, so if you block the
news people will rely on rumours, “he said.
He called for dialogue between the government and media houses in the country.
Abraham Mariak Albino, a renowned journalist and political analyst,
said the government’s decision will not benefit the country. “When you
block any media house it shows that you fear its voice,” he said.
He pointed out that the decision will definitely affect the government
internationally.
The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) condemned the government’s
decision to block access to the website of the news service Radio
Tamazuj.
“I consider the blockage of the Sudan Tribune and Radio Tamazuj by
South Sudan government is breaching the laws and human rights and
specifically the rights of access to information,” Tito Anthony,
Executive Director of CPJ said in a statement.
Tito pointed out that the two news websites are providing reliable
information across the country, stressing that their blockage will put
South Sudanese in darkness.
The civil society group called on South Sudan National Communication
Authority to reverse its decision.
Last week, South Sudan's security officials arrested the director of
the state television for not broadcasting President Kiir’s speech live
during the 6th independence anniversary.
Last month, at least 20 foreign journalists had been denied entry by
authorities. The world’s youngest nation is ranked 145th of 180
countries in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index.
Government blocks access to Radio Tamazuj website, observers condemn decision
South Sudan’s government has cut off access to the website of the news
service Radio Tamazuj, a spokesman of the government said.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth confirmed to Bloomberg that
the block went into effect Monday. “If they have been disseminating
hostile messages towards us then we have the authority to close them,”
he was quoted as saying.
Users of some mobile phones and Wi-Fi networks in South Sudan since
yesterday explained that their browsers told them that the Radio
Tamazuj website “has been blocked by South Sudan National
Communication Authority. “The users also had problem accessing other
news websites commonly visited by South Sudanese readers.
An engineer, who preferred anonymity, told Radio Tamazuj that the
decision came after a meeting held by South Sudan authorities over the
past three weeks to block news websites they perceive posing a threat
to the current government in Juba.
He further said the government had instructed a Chinese
telecommunications equipment and systems company known as ZTE to block
the website of the news service Radio Tamazuj.
But Radio Tamazuj's broadcasts on shortwave radio are unaffected and
will continue uncensored.
Several activists and political observers condemned the government of
South Sudan for blocking popular and independent news websites through
its internet service providers.
Alfred Taban, head of the Association for Media Development in South
Sudan, condemned the decision taken by the government to block news
websites in South Sudan.
He pointed out that the media body will discuss the issue. “Blocking
the news websites is not good. People should have access to
information, so what happened is wrong,” said Alfred.
Alfred, who is also a member of the national dialogue committee set up
by President Kiir, said the issue will be discussed within the
national dialogue committee.
“The issue was brought to us today. I mean the blocking of news
websites would be discussed but I don’t know the date, so as members
of the national dialogue committee, we said the people of South Sudan
should be given their freedom to express themselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil society activist Edmund Yakani criticized the
decision taken by the government saying the right of access to
information is one of the fundamental human rights.
“If there is any incorrect information disseminated by the news
websites, there should be legal processes instead of blocking them.
The people in South Sudan are lacking information, so if you block the
news people will rely on rumours, “he said.
He called for dialogue between the government and media houses in the country.
Abraham Mariak Albino, a renowned journalist and political analyst,
said the government’s decision will not benefit the country. “When you
block any media house it shows that you fear its voice,” he said.
He pointed out that the decision will definitely affect the government
internationally.
The Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) condemned the government’s
decision to block access to the website of the news service Radio
Tamazuj.
“I consider the blockage of the Sudan Tribune and Radio Tamazuj by
South Sudan government is breaching the laws and human rights and
specifically the rights of access to information,” Tito Anthony,
Executive Director of CPJ said in a statement.
Tito pointed out that the two news websites are providing reliable
information across the country, stressing that their blockage will put
South Sudanese in darkness.
The civil society group called on South Sudan National Communication
Authority to reverse its decision.
Last week, South Sudan's security officials arrested the director of
the state television for not broadcasting President Kiir’s speech live
during the 6th independence anniversary.
Last month, at least 20 foreign journalists had been denied entry by
authorities. The world’s youngest nation is ranked 145th of 180
countries in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index.
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