Woja Emmanuel
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Woja Emmanuel (born Jan. 4, 1994), is a South Sudanese multimedia journalist. He is a former news editor for Eye Radio and an independent broadcaster in Juba, South Sudan.[1] He co-founded Wikimedia South Sudan, an organization working on documenting stories and important monuments about South Sudan on the Wikimedia platforms.[2]
Career highlights
[edit]Woja is also a trained fact-checker and a fellow for the 211 Check, a fact-checking platform in Juba.[3]
Kidnapping incident
[edit]In March 2022, Woja was abducted by armed men in Juba who interrogated and tortured him about his journalism work. The kidnappers accused him of publishing inciting content and alleged connections to rebel groups in the country.[4] This ordeal is believed to be linked to his reporting on sensitive issues reflecting the precarious environment for journalists in South Sudan.[5]
The kidnapping occurred when Woja was approached near his Eye Radio workplace and forced into a vehicle at gunpoint. He was held for hours, and subjected to both physical and psychological torture before he escaped.[6] His kidnapping widely condemned by the media freedom organizations highlighted the increasing dangers faced by journalists in South Sudan.[7] His kidnapping raised concerns about the safety of human rights defenders in South Sudan as the country prepared for elections in 2024.[8]
Resignation from Eye Radio
[edit]Following the abduction, Woja resigned from Eye Radio citing concerns for his safety and the need to reflect on his experiences. His decision marked a turning point in his career as he shifted to freelance journalism to continue his work in a safer and more flexible capacity.[9]
Exile
[edit]Following his kidnapping, Woja became one of the few journalists who fled South Sudan to seek safety, as a result of the harsh media environment.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Woja Emmanuel, Author at Eye Radio". Eye Radio. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "South Sudanese urged to document the country's activites". Audioboom. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Check, 211 (2021-08-04). "COVID-19: Low vaccine uptake coupled with minimal adherence to preventive measures exposes South Sudan to second virus wave". 211CHECK. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
{{cite web}}:|first=has numeric name (help) - ^ Chang, Koang (2022-03-03). "Eye Radio's editor abducted, drugged and tortured in Juba". Eye Radio. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Chang, Koang (2020-08-04). "Why Wau's incident almost brought the SSPDF and SPLA-IO to war". Eye Radio. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ cfeditoren (2022-03-04). "Journalist assaulted by unknown people". South Sudan. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "South Sudanese authorities deny accusations of rights violations claimed by Human Rights Watch". anews. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "UN rights commission accuses South Sudan of violations ahead of elections | Politics". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Editor, Digital Qquality (2022-04-05). "Kidnapped Eye Radio editor quits job after reflection on ordeal". Radio Tamazuj. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Admin, ACME (2023-10-06). "UN report sheds light on plight of journalists in South Sudan". African Centre for Media Excellence. Retrieved 2024-11-19.