STUDENT’S PRESS CLUB LAUNCHED AHEAD OF THE WORLD RADIO CELEBRATIONS IN JUBA

The National Press Club and Juba University in partnership with UNESCO and the Canadian Embassy launched a student’s press club at the University of Juba ahead of the World Radio Celebrations in Juba. This year’s World Radio Day celebrates the trust, accessibility and long-term viability of the radio industry.

At the occasion, Hon. Moyiga Nduru, Information Commissioner, of the  Access to information Commission, urged journalism students to have trust in the broadcast media especially the radio to be able to use it effectively. He also advised students to take mentorship and training seriously to have vast skills that will benefit them and the public they will be serving.

Mr. James Ochaya, Executive Director of the  National Press Club South Sudan noted that the press club will be aimed at providing opportunities for journalism students among which will include engagements with veteran journalists, training, mentorship, fellowship and scholarships and networking opportunities.

While Prof Chaplain Kara, Deputy Dean at the School of Journalism at Juba University noted that “it is important that a home-grown press club has been created to cater for the future of Journalists in South Sudan. “We do have an equipped multimedia lab that will facilitate the work of the students in editing, designing, packaging and producing their work”, he stressed.

For his part, Mr. Julius Banda, UNESCO Country Representative, stated that radio is an accessible medium and powerful tool that can be leveraged in educating and informing the general public about critical issues of development such as gender equality and discuss whether the country is on track to achieve Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 of the African Union. It is on this note that the government should continue to provide an enabling environment for the growth of pluralistic media in South Sudan as it is a key driver for prosperity and development.