United for Peace: South Sudanese Journalists Rally to Support National Stability” Call for Unity Among Journalists and Social Media Activists.

A patriotic journalist, Ngor Deng Matem, and 15 other national journalists expressed their views through an international conference call regarding the current economic crisis and instability in South Sudan. As loyal citizens and professional journalists, they vowed to play their roles in supporting the government during these challenging times to implement lasting peace, stability, and development plans.

Matem and his colleagues called for unity and cooperation among the people of South Sudan, including journalists, radio stations, and all activists, to promote lasting peace and unity.

Important journalists, according to Matem, they can facilitate conversations between conflicting parties, providing space for sharing perspectives and finding common ground. This may involve organizing debates, forums, or town hall meetings. Matem highlighted the importance of amplifying marginalized voices, including victims of conflict, to build empathy and understanding. Promoting reconciliation initiatives was another key point discussed. By highlighting successful peace-building projects and initiatives, journalists can encourage further efforts and demonstrate the possibility of reconciliation. And educating the public about peacebuilding and how individuals can contribute to a more peaceful society is crucial.

The journalists also emphasized the importance of promoting media literacy and critical thinking. They stressed the need to educate audiences about media bias, helping citizens develop skills to identify bias, misinformation, and propaganda in South Sudan. Encouraging critical thinking and promoting critical engagement with media messages will help audiences question information and engage thoughtfully.

Ngor Deng Matem’s dedication and resilience are evident in his extensive experience as a writer, editor, and reporter, and his passion for storytelling. His recent participation in the Alumni Symposium for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in March 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa, further underscores his commitment to his country.

This united front of South Sudanese journalists, led by Ngor Deng Matem, stands as a powerful testament to the role of the media in fostering peace and stability in South Sudan.

Writer is president of FRC. In Ethiopia email bolathian0@gmail.com@gmail.com