News / Africa
IFJ mourns death of journalist shot in South Sudan
24 Aug 2015 at 14:31hrs | Views
Relatives and onlookers watch as the body of South Sudanese journalist Peter Moi is taken into a mortuary in Juba, South Sudan, Aug. 20, 2015.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the killing of South Sudan journalist Peter Moi, working for The New Nation newspaper, who was shot dead on Wednesday 19 August after leaving work in the capital Juba.
According to media reports, money and his telephone were found on his body and there was no immediate response to the killing from the police or security forces.
This latest killing, the sixth South Sudan in 2015, follows the widely-condemned statement made a few days ago by president Salva Kiir which issued threats to kill journalists if they report "against the country."
"We are appalled by this outrageous killing which is not surprising in view of the president's outrageous stance," said the IFJ's President Jim Boumelha.
"We stand by the journalism community of South Sudan in thus difficult period and we urge the country's authorities to guarantee the protection and integrity of our colleagues so they can do their job and report the truth with no fear. Our thoughts remain with Peter's friends and family and we strongly appeal for the perpetrators of this horrific act to be immediately brought to justice."
Right groups have repeatedly warned about security forces cracking down on journalists in the war-ravaged country, stressing that their actions are suffocating debate on how to end the civil war.
Earlier this month security forces shut down two newspapers - the Arabic daily Al-Rai and the English daily Citizen – as well as Free Voice South Sudan radio station, after they reportedly promoted a proposed peace agreement that the government has since dismissed as a sellout.
Relatives of slain journalist Peter Moi carry his coffin bearing a white cross from the mortuary to a waiting car in the South Sudanese capital Juba on August 20, 2015.
According to media reports, money and his telephone were found on his body and there was no immediate response to the killing from the police or security forces.
This latest killing, the sixth South Sudan in 2015, follows the widely-condemned statement made a few days ago by president Salva Kiir which issued threats to kill journalists if they report "against the country."
"We are appalled by this outrageous killing which is not surprising in view of the president's outrageous stance," said the IFJ's President Jim Boumelha.
Right groups have repeatedly warned about security forces cracking down on journalists in the war-ravaged country, stressing that their actions are suffocating debate on how to end the civil war.
Earlier this month security forces shut down two newspapers - the Arabic daily Al-Rai and the English daily Citizen – as well as Free Voice South Sudan radio station, after they reportedly promoted a proposed peace agreement that the government has since dismissed as a sellout.
Relatives of slain journalist Peter Moi carry his coffin bearing a white cross from the mortuary to a waiting car in the South Sudanese capital Juba on August 20, 2015.
Source - Online
