In March, Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF) launched a campaign to combat misinformation, disinformation and hate speech in South Sudan. The campaign included a social media rollout and printed materials offering practical tips and calls to action to help communities respond to these challenges.
As part of the Tackling Mis/Disinformation to Promote Peace-building in South Sudan project, supported by Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPS), JHR and DRF also released a policy brief on the harmful impact of false narratives on peace and social cohesion.
The policy brief was launched during a roundtable discussion with representatives from civil society, media and government institutions. Key speakers included:
- Mary Ajith Goch, JHR South Sudan Project Director, who explained how misinformation and hate speech drive ethnic tensions, incite violence, and obstruct peace-building—especially via social media.
- Hon. Oliver Morri, Chairperson of the Specialised Committee on Information and Communication at the Revitalised National Legislative Assembly, who stressed that political affiliations often contribute to the spread of false information.
- Majak Alier, Union of Journalists of South Sudan, who noted that the absence of a unified media agenda hampers efforts to counter disinformation.
- Nelson Kwaje, DRF Chairperson, who demonstrated tools for tracking and analyzing misinformation, underscoring the need for coordinated action.
The policy brief highlights how misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are deeply rooted in South Sudan’s history of ethnic conflict, shaped by colonial legacies, civil wars and political divisions. The prevalence of harmful narratives continues to threaten peace and social cohesion.
To counter this, the brief outlines specific recommendations for key stakeholders:
- Government institutions are urged to collaborate with civil society and international organizations, update information laws without criminalizing speech, train officials on mis/disinformation and support youth-led peace initiatives.
- Civil society, media, NGOs and fact-checking groups are encouraged to expand digital literacy programs, create accessible resources and provide training, particularly for youth and community-based organizations.
- Citizens are recommended to leverage local radio, community leaders and influencers to spread accurate information and build resilience against false narratives.
Read the full policy brief here.
