The Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) and President Salva Kiir’s Press Secretary Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel held meeting on Tuesday to devise ways of harmonizing and improving working relations with journalists.
Patrick Oyet, the President of UJOSS called on the President Kiir’s Press Secretary to work closely with them to create conducive environment for the media and journalists.
“We stand ready to work together and if you need help from us in any way so that we improve working relations, we are ready,” said a statement issued by UJOSS in Juba.
It said the meeting aimed at strengthening working relations between UJOSS and the Office of the President.
The UJOSS team led by Mr. Oyet Patrick Charles first congratulated the press secretary upon her appointment.
“We as a union appeal to the Office of the President through the Press Secretary to support us in promoting safety and protection of journalists, journalists do essential work since our work is to disseminate information to the public,” it said.
The Press Secretary, Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel, thanked the UJOSS team for the visit, adding that her office is well conversant with the challenges facing journalists and the media fraternity in the country.
She said her office will facilitate and create opportunities for the country’s journalists to have interviews with H.E. President Kiir provided that it is properly coordinated.
“I commit to bridge the gap between the office of H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, journalists and the public, during my tenure journalists will be given priority to interact with the President,” said Adhieu.
Adhieu disclosed that soon journalists will be invited to meet and interact with the President.
She added that her office is now consulting with the journalists’ body on the issue of accreditation for journalists that would be assigned to cover events in the office of the President.
Other UJOSS officials who attended the meeting include, UJOSS Vice President Ajak Ater, Secretary General Majak Daniel Kuany Alier and communications secretary Tapeng Michael Ohure.
