PPF is concerned over the killing and harassment of media personnel in South Sudan

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Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in a letter to Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of South Sudan expressed concern over the killings and constant harassment of journalists in South Sudan.

PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali in his letter urged the government of South Sudan to end the high rate of impunity and book the perpetrators. Aslam Ali also urges to take action against shutting down of media outlets, harassment of media personnel and provide the security to the media fraternity in South Sudan.

According to Association for Media Development in South Sudan, since December 2013 at least 12 journalists have been murdered for pursuing their professional duties and others were became the victims of circumstances.

Recently, the dead body of Isaac Vuni, a freelance journalist was found in a farm. He was kidnapped three months back at gun point by unidentified men wearing uniform at his home in Kerepi village.

In July of this year John Gatluk, journalist for The Radio Community and Kamula Duro, a cameraman in the Office of the President was killed.

Besides murders and killings, at least 27 journalists were arrested, some were released and others are still in detention. 7 media outlets were shut down and only two were reopened, 3 journalists were kidnapped, detained in unknown location, tortured and later dumped near graveyards, 2 kidnapped journalists are still missing, several journalists fled the country for fear of their lives, 45 cases of intimidation of both media houses and individual journalists, summons and questioning of both media houses and journalists are extremely high.