Reporting a Difficult Story – For Assunta Aluel, a female journalist from Twic County, the Monitoring Fellowship became crucial when she faced pressure after reporting a sensitive community story, reports DEBORAH YAR
The story involved a group of women who organized themselves to clean the local airstrip ahead of the reception of the late Bona Malual.
Although government funds had reportedly been allocated for road and airstrip maintenance, much of the work had not been completed. As a result, community members stepped in to carry out the work themselves.
Assunta visited the airstrip and interviewed the women involved in the initiative.
“They explained that their work was a contribution to the community,” she recalls. “They said it was not meant to blame the government.”
Facing Official Pressure
After the story was broadcast, the county commissioner was unhappy and instructed national security officers to call Assunta for questioning.
“They asked why I had reported the story,” she says.
Assunta explained that the report reflected what the women themselves had said and that the broadcast did not accuse the government.
She was also asked to participate in a community radio discussion to clarify the story.
Applying the Fellowship Training
For Assunta, this moment tested what she had learned during the fellowship.
The training sessions had prepared participants to respond calmly and professionally when facing pressure related to their work.
“Without the training, I might have been afraid or unsure how to respond,” she explains.
Instead, she remained composed and explained the facts behind the report.
Continuing the Work
Assunta says the fellowship has strengthened her confidence as a journalist and helped her better understand how to navigate difficult situations.
Journalists often face pressure or intimidation when reporting on sensitive issues, she notes.
But the training helped her understand that professional integrity and calm communication are essential when dealing with such challenges.
Across South Sudan, fellows like Assunta are using the knowledge gained through the fellowship to continue reporting responsibly while navigating the complex realities of their profession.
