AFRICA/SUDAN - Airing of Good News Radio, 6th Catholic radio in South Sudan, sponsored by Diocese of Rumbek

Rumbek (Agenzia Fides) – "The Good News Radio will call us with its voice to come to the wisdom of letting what happens each day deliver a significant and constructive impact on our lives and on our world." This is how Bishop Cesare Mazzolari of Rumbek in South Sudan described Good News Radio, the most recent in a network of Catholic radio stations airing across southern Sudan. The radio is sponsored by the Diocese of Rumbek.
The new station went on air on January 25. Fr. Don Bosco Ochieng, the director of Good News Radio affirmed that Sudan Catholic Radio Network (SCRN) has now established six stations in Southern Sudan. The other Catholic stations in Sudan are Bakhita Radio in Juba, Voice of Peace in Gidel in Nuba mountains, Voice of Love in Malakal, Radio Emmanuel in Torit, and Easter FM in Yei.
The Director of Sudan Catholic Radio Network, Sr. Paola Moggi thanked the Bishop, the technicians, Fr. Don Bosco and all who have assisted Radio Good News to begin broadcasting. The Lakes State's capital, Rumbek, will now have two radio stations” Rumbek FM-98, a station that is government-owned, and Good News Radio.
However, South Sudan has also seen intense limitations imposed on the freedom of expression, including among Catholic stations. In December 2009, Bakhita Radio in Juba came under threats from security forces as a group of about 20 presumed Central Equatoria State South Sudan Police Service personnel stormed into the premises of Bakhita Radio and beat one of the staff. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 28/1/2010)