Newspapers and media in South Sudan

In South Sudan, news travels mainly in English and Juba Arabic, first by radio, then through dailies such as Juba Monitor and One Citizen Daily and websites like Eye Radio, Radio Tamazuj and Sudans Post, all free to read online.

A press born with independence in 2011

South Sudan declared independence on 9 July 2011, and its media landscape took shape in Juba from then on. Several outlets already existed under a united Sudan, such as Juba Monitor or Eye Radio, launched in 2010 ahead of the self-determination referendum.

Which dailies to read in Juba?

Juba Monitor and One Citizen Daily are the most frequently cited English-language dailies, printed in small runs in the capital. Their print circulation outside Juba remains limited, which is why their websites and social media accounts matter so much to readers.

English, Juba Arabic and local languages

English is the official language and dominates the written press, while Juba Arabic serves as the lingua franca on the airwaves. Community stations also broadcast in Dinka, Nuer, Bari or Zande, which makes audio essential for understanding news from the states.

Radio, the country's leading medium

With few roads and an unreliable power grid, radio remains the dominant channel. Eye Radio, Radio Miraya, linked to the UN mission UNMISS, and The Radio Community network cover Juba, Wau, Malakal and Bor with regular news bulletins.

SSBC, the public broadcaster

The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, or SSBC, brings together public television and radio based in Juba. Its news programmes mostly follow the presidential and government agenda, so it is worth comparing them with Juba Echo TV or independent radio stations.

News websites and digital-only outlets

Sudans Post, Radio Tamazuj and Nyamilepedia publish around the clock on politics, security and the economy. Hot in Juba focuses more on culture and urban music. These sites are often faster than the printed press at reporting incidents in the regions.

Covering both Sudans

Ties with Khartoum remain strong: oil exported through the pipeline to Port Sudan, refugees and the disputed Abyei border area. For that side of the story, Sudan Tribune and the Sudanese press of Khartoum and Port Sudan usefully complement Juba media.

Wire services and news agencies

South Sudan News Agency offers dispatches and analysis in English without being a state body. Official statements go mainly through SSBC and the ministries, while Xinhua, AFP and Reuters provide international coverage from Juba or Nairobi.

A very active diaspora online

Many South Sudanese live in Kenya, Uganda, Australia or the United States. Sites such as Nyamilepedia grew out of this diaspora, and the Kenyan press in Nairobi closely follows South Sudan, a regional humanitarian hub.

Economy, oil and basketball

The economy is read through oil, the South Sudanese pound and inflation, topics covered by Sudans Post and Eye Radio. In sport, the Bright Stars basketball team qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics drew exceptional nationwide coverage.

Press freedom at a glance

The Media Authority Act of 2013 governs the registration of journalists and media outlets. International organisations report newspaper suspensions, blocked websites and pressure on reporters, particularly during the civil war that broke out in December 2013.

Cross-checking news from Juba

Most South Sudanese outlets are free online. To verify a story, compare a local radio station, an independent website and a regional source, then visit the African press page to widen your view to East African neighbours.

How to follow South Sudan news from abroad

1. Pick a Juba daily, for example Juba Monitor, and a fast-moving site such as Sudans Post for breaking news.
2. Listen to Eye Radio or Radio Miraya online for bulletins in English and Juba Arabic.
3. Add Radio Tamazuj for the border areas, Abyei and regions affected by conflict.
4. Set up an alert for Juba, Malakal or Bor so local incidents reach you quickly.
5. Compare the SSBC version with that of an independent outlet before accepting a casualty figure or a statement.
6. Check the publication date, as old articles about the violence of 2013 or 2016 still circulate.

Access to South Sudanese media

Key facts about South Sudan's media

• News languages: English in print, Juba Arabic on radio
• Public broadcaster: South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC)
• UN radio: Radio Miraya, linked to the UNMISS mission
• Capital and main press centre: Juba
• Time zone: Central Africa Time, UTC+2
• Currency: South Sudanese pound (SSP)

Pitfalls when reading the Juba press

• Confusing Sudan with South Sudan: many English-language outlets cover both countries, so always check whether the article concerns Khartoum or Juba.
• Mistaking an anonymous Facebook page bearing the name of a well-known outlet for that outlet's official account.
• Sharing unconfirmed casualty figures, even though numbers often vary widely between local and UN sources.
• Passing off old articles about the civil war as if they described today's news.
• Treating statements relayed by SSBC or a ministry as independently verified information without checking them against a third-party outlet.

Your questions about the South Sudanese press