South Sudan’s media authority has said that for publishing false news, 20 foreign journalists have been banned from operating in or entering the country.

Chairman of the country’s media authority, Elijah Alier, while addressing newsmen in Juba said the affected journalists had reported unsubstantiated and unrealistic stories which have the potential of inciting hate and violence.

“Issues to do with hate speech, incitement to violence and disinformation are not acceptable in the context of our law. Some of the reporters have not even been seen in South Sudan. You need to also respect the country, you can’t just label the country as crazy,” he told Eye Radio, a local media station.

Although the identities of the 20 journalists and their media outfits were not disclosed, Alier further revealed that over 200 foreign journalists have permits to operate in the country, adding that others who wish to operate in South Sudan should seek accreditation from the media authority.

Meanwhile, a civil society group, Association for Media Development in South Sudan has through its Chairman, Alfred Taban condemned the ban, describing it as a “sabotage of national dialogue”.

“The Media Authority law does not give this body the right to deny visas to journalists on the ground that they write articles critical of the government …The president has assured us that all the people coming to this country especially journalists will be given full freedom to move freely,” Taban said.

South Sudan, a nation which has been ravaged by war since 2013 is one of the most hostile countries to the media as many journalists have lost their lives while several others have been attacked in their line of duty.