Overview : The one and half-year conflict in South Sudan is not only about the political contentions within the ruling party-SPLM but it stems from the historically accumulated grievances which remain un-addressed. These range from socio-economic and political differences as well as disparities in approaches and priorities to nation-building post the much celebrated independence in 2011. Many critics blame the failure by the political leadership in managing these differences and the lack of a robust and inclusive post-conflict peace-building framework to address issues of reconciliation and social cohesion. Unfortunately, these untamed grievances coupled with the multiple woundedness experienced by citizens pose huge challenges to peace and stability in South Sudan. Following the crisis in December 2013, the international media immediately framed the issue as an ethnic conflict between the Neur and the Dinka, the two largest ethnic groups in South Sudan. The effect was the fuelling of the conflict and hate speech especially comments made on online media sites by the Diaspora population. The ethnic lens though which this conflict was viewed shaped the international community’s policy response. The media found itself either being used as propaganda machinery or on the receiving end of state repression. Consequently, the South Sudanese people were denied balanced reporting on the crisis. The government cracked down on independent media, radio stations were closed by the National Security Agency, there was arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists on allegations of biased reporting and spreading falsehoods. Those media houses that reported anything in opposition controlled areas were the primary target. In this way the media assumed an active role in the conflict and was to a certain extent responsible for increased violence. Given this background, it is imperative that the local media be supported in re-establishing its independence but also becoming a key actor in the reconstruction of South Sudan and working towards social cohesion. Secondly the media needs to be supported in enhancing its role as the fourth estate providing alternative voice piece for the disadvantaged. UNDP’s Community Security and Arms Control (CSAC) project has plans for long-term engagement with the media as partners in peacebuilding work and giving voice for the poor and marginalised sections of the south Sudanese population. The project will shortly be sending out an Expression of Interest (EoI) that will specify the nature of the engagement.It is envisaged that this engagement with the media fraternity will incorporate the support of the UNDP communications team as a means of deepening its relationships with local media houses and leverage this as necessary to provide more visibility to other UNDP programmes and activities. The selected consultant will therefore be expected to support the pre-qualified media organisations and journalists during this assignment. |