S. Sudan Official Says Broadcasting Interviews with Rebels 'An Offense'

WASHINGTON —  South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei has warned reporters not to broadcast or publish interviews with rebel leaders inside South Sudan, saying it would constitute "subversive activity" and put the journalist on the wrong side of the law.

"When you go and interview a rebel who ran away from here and you come and play that interview on government territory, and you know that man is not friendly -- this is not the meaning of journalism," he told VOA in a telephone interview conducted from Washington.

"You interview him outside and publish it, whatever you do, outside, but when you come and disseminate this poisonous information inside South Sudan, it is an offense," said Makuei, a lawyer by profession.

Asked which section of South Sudan's penal code made interviews with rebels an offense, Makuei said, "It is not my duty to tell which law -- go and look for it."

A South Sudanese legal expert told VOA that South Sudan's penal code "does not bar journalists from broadcasting interviews with rebels."

"Everyone in South Sudan has the right to attain any interview," said the expert, who asked not to be named for reasons of personal safety.

The expert, who spoke to VOA from an undisclosed country of exile, added that, unless the country's constitution has been amended recently, it also guarantees South Sudanese the "right to communicate freely."

Makuei said the South Sudanese media "is free, according to the law."

"If you step on the toes of others, you are in violation of the law," the minister said.

"The toes of others here include the state. The state is a person," he said.

To listen to the interview with Makuei, click on the link below.

South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei speaks with John Tanza