South Sudan has blocked access to social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, in response to recent unrest in the country. The National Communication Authority directed internet service providers to block access to all social media accounts for a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 90 days.
The move aims to curb the spread of footage showing the killings of South Sudanese nationals in neighboring Sudan, which sparked violent protests. However, the Committee to Protect Journalists has criticized the move, describing it as a disproportionate response to the unrest and a blanket act of censorship.
Journalists in South Sudan are struggling to navigate the ban, resorting to virtual private networks to continue their work. However, they remain uncertain whether their audience can access their reports.
The social media ban is part of broader measures to address unrest in the country, including a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed in the capital, Juba. The Authority’s director general suggested that the ban could be lifted within 72 hours, but no official confirmation has been made.
Source: Punch
