Hiiraan Online
Tuesday August 25, 2015
NAIROBI (HOL) -----There is growing international outrage over the recent murder of South Sudanese journalist Peter Julius Moi who was shot dead only days after president Salva Kiir warned journalists ‘working against the country of dire consequences.
Mr. Moi, a reporter at the bi-monthly New Nation was shot dead after leaving work in the capital Juba last week. He was the seventh journalist to be killed this year in the world’s newest nation devastated by conflict between government troops and armed groups.
The African Media Initiative (AMI), a media advocacy group for Africa has called for action against the journalist’s murder which sent shockwaves across the continent.“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.” The organization said in a statement issued from Nairobi Monday.
“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.” The statement noted.
The killing comes just over two months, on November 2 that the world will be marking the International 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.” AMI said in the statement.
Journalists operating in South Sudan say the turmoil in the country further exasperates the already dangerous environment that media workers operate.
Earlier this month, government soldiers shut down two newspapers and a radio station the government accused of promoting a proposed peace agreement that the government has since dismissed as a ‘sellout’.