RUMBEK, The Government of Lakes State has suspended the operations of Lakes State Media, citing the outlet’s plan to air an interview with former SPLM senior member Nhial Deng Nhial, who recently defected to form the South Sudan Salvation Movement.
In a one-page statement addressed to Lakes State Media management, the Ministry of Information and Communication said it was “deeply concerned” about the station’s repeated decision to host “defected groups, rebels, and individuals opposed to the government” under the banner of Lakes State Media.
“Although this media has positively contributed to our state and the entire country, this kind of coverage reflects negatively on the image of Lakes State and its community,” the letter read.
The government directed the station to stop airing or posting political content deemed “irrelevant” or contrary to the interests of the state. It also advised the outlet to change its name to one that “better reflects the objectives and values of an independent organisation.”
The statement added that interviews with defected groups “inadvertently endorse dissent against the government” and “undermine efforts to maintain peace and stability.”
Effective immediately, Lakes State Media’s operations within Lakes State and across South Sudan have been suspended “until the name is changed to an appropriate one.” The government warned that failure to comply would result in further action.
The letter, signed by Hon. William Koji Kirjok, minister of culture, youth and sports and acting minister of information and communication for Lakes State, concluded by emphasising the need for “cooperation and understanding between the Lakes State Government and Lakes State Media for the betterment of our people.”
