JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 08, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
JOHANNESBURG - Government agents ordered a journalist working for The Associated Press out of South Sudan Tuesday, taking him to the airport in Juba and putting him aboard a flight to Uganda.
Justin Lynch, an American freelance journalist who had reported on human rights violations in the violence-plagued nation for the past six months, said he was arrested by members of South Sudan's National Security Service who temporarily seized his mobile phones and allowed him to pack a bag.
The agents told him only that he was being deported for his journalistic work, Lynch said after arriving in Kampala, Uganda's capital.
Lynch, 25, from Saratoga, New York, has been working for AP in South Sudan since July. He recently reported on evidence of ethnic violence in the country and on the warning by a U.N. official that South Sudan is at risk of genocide.
Speaking from New York, AP executives defended Lynch's reporting and said they were seeking an explanation from the government.
"Any move to suppress legitimate journalism and truthful reporting shedding light on humanitarian crimes is wrong and should be condemned. We hope that the government of South Sudan will reconsider its actions," said Ian Phillips, AP's vice president for international news.
South Sudan Minister of Information Michael Makuei said he had no knowledge of the deportation and would look into the matter. Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek also said he would investigate and issue a statement when he had the facts. - AP
May 15, 2025: Dawn faces backlash for publishing ex-CJ Qazi Faez Isa's op-ed, accused of undermining democracy and aiding election rigging. Politicians and journalists condemn the move.
May 12, 2025: PFUJ pays tribute to journalists flogged under General Zia’s martial law in 1978, vowing to resist modern censorship and uphold press freedom in Pakistan.
May 09, 2025: In a bizarre media meltdown, Indian TV channels declared war on Pakistan, claimed imaginary victories and pushed fake narratives—leaving even Indian viewers stunned and apologetic.
May 05, 2025: India has banned prominent Pakistani journalist Rana Mubashir’s YouTube channel, expanding its crackdown on 16 other Pakistani media outlets. The move follows accusations of "false narratives" against India.
May 03, 2025: Pakistan's press freedom under severe threat as PFUJ condemns repressive laws and systematic journalist harassment on World Press Freedom Day. Union reports journalist killings, financial targeting, and government failure to implement safety measures.
May 02, 2025: Dawn has strongly denied publishing any report claiming that TTP stole a PAF F-16 fighter jet, labeling the viral screenshot as fake and digitally manipulated.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?