By Elias Ginana
YAMBIO, WESTERN EQUATORIA STATE — The Diocesan Media House, Anisa FM Radio, operating under the Catholic Diocese of Tombura–Yambio, has successfully trained a new cohort of community reporters drawn from three parishes across the Diocese.
The initiative, conducted in line with the pastoral directives of His Lordship Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, brought together young men and women from Ave Maria Ngboko Mission, St. Thomas Rii-Yubu, and Regina Mundi Ezo Catholic Parishes for a comprehensive media training workshop.
Anisa FM Radio — part of the Catholic Radio Network (CRN), a community radio network established to promote peace, reconciliation, and development across South Sudan — plays a significant role in community communication and civic engagement within the Diocese and beyond. The station has broadcast news, pastoral messages, education, and peace-building programming to a wide audience in the Western Equatoria region since its establishment.
Empowering Local Voices
In total, 26 new reporters — including 5 women and 21 men — completed the training and are now equipped to serve as area correspondents for Anisa FM Radio and other diocesan media platforms. The workshop focused on basic journalistic skills, media ethics, reporting on pastoral and social affairs, and community engagement.
Speaking at the training held at Ave Maria Ngboko Mission, Parish Priest Fr. Avelino expressed deep appreciation to the diocesan leadership and Anisa FM Radio administration for bringing the programme to the grassroots. He highlighted that the initiative reflects the Church’s commitment to mentoring young people and involving them in community development through responsible media engagement.
“This initiative demonstrates the Church’s commitment to mentoring our youth and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to diocesan and community affairs,” Fr. Avelino remarked, urging the newly trained reporters to uphold professionalism, responsibility, and ethical reporting in their work.
Calling for Responsible Communication
In Ezo Vicariate, the Parish Priest of Regina Mundi Catholic Parish, Fr. Gamboripai William Abbass, extended heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Hiiboro for his visionary leadership and care for the Diocese’s people. He praised the Bishop’s efforts to bring essential services closer to the people and prepare them to serve both God and society.
Fr. Gamboripai encouraged the trainees to remain committed and hardworking in their media roles, emphasizing the importance of accuracy, relevance, and peace-building in their reporting. He stressed that effective communication is vital for unity and informed decision-making within families, parishes, and broader communities.
“Through your service in media and communications, you have the opportunity to reach diverse audiences with information that fosters peace, unity, and understanding,” he told the reporters.
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura–Yambio — established in 1949 and led by Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala — comprises over 20 parishes and serves a significant Catholic population in South Sudan, using media channels such as Anisa FM to expand outreach and strengthen community ties.
Strengthening Community-Based Media
Anisa FM continues to be a trusted source of information across the Diocese and Western Equatoria State, broadcasting a mix of news, pastoral guidance, educational content and community programming. As a member of the Catholic Radio Network, the station collaborates with sister community radio stations around South Sudan, delivering timely, culturally pertinent messaging to listeners.
The training of the new reporters marks another milestone in the Diocese’s efforts to strengthen community-based media and promote responsible communication in service of the Church and society. By empowering local voices with journalistic skills, the initiative seeks to enhance community reporting, support pastoral work, and foster informed dialogue on issues affecting parish life and social wellbeing.
As the newly trained reporters begin their assignments, the Diocese expects them to contribute significantly to building a more informed, engaged and peaceful Catholic community through ethical media engagement and faithful reporting.
