By: Deng Riek Khoryoam
Gurtong Edited and Posted)- SSTV and other Media houses need to ‘decentralize’ coverage to rural areas on the 9th July!
As South Sudan anxiously but also patiently awaits its full independence on the 9th July, 2011, certain things ought to be done well to make that memorable day smooth and successful. This July 9th date, which was on the lips of many Southerners thousands of years ago and which many thought was too far away, if not unforeseeable, is now around the corner. It’s finally here!
A referendum on self-determination was organized and conducted earlier this year and the people went to the voting booths to decide their future destiny. They spoke loud and clear through their ballot papers, which is the reason why there is July 9th now, and – good enough, there was no disenfranchisement!
The countdown to the July 9th is fast approaching and with so many things not yet in place. The work in and around Dr John Garang Mausoleum, which they say will host the main celebrants, dignitaries and other distinguished invited guests isn’t yet finished. Some beautification programmes as well as tree plantings are not yet done.
Also, the refurbishment of the main stadium where sports activities are to be held in is not yet over. A lot of work isn’t yet finished and we remain with only this week to get the unfinished tasks done or else the day reaches before we are done with these things, if we are not fast enough. With all these mentioned the question that begs an honest answer is: why didn’t the government or the concerned institutions, charged with the task of getting all these things done as part and parcel of the preparation, start since January or perhaps in the early February but only waited till late March or April? An answer or explanation is needed here.
The role of media in a war ravaged country like South Sudan is obscure, unclear and thus needs clear definition or understanding. Some of us would assume that the role the media should play in South Sudan is not limited to feeding people with somewhat reliable information collected from somewhat credible sources.
It should be assumed that its role is to inform the people about what happens on a daily basis and what they should know about their government. The decisions and policies that the government has to make on their behalf – they (people) need to know – that’s all it takes to be an informed citizen. The media should be expected to play a pivotal role, the role of a middleman; being a link between the government and the ordinary citizens, it should serve people irrespective of proximity, social class and or distance, whatsoever.
But that is not the case for the media here in South Sudan.