Media of Sudan
The Interim National Constitution of 1986[2] provided an unrestricted right to freedom of expression, dissemination of information, and access to the press without prejudice to order, safety, or public morals “as determined by the law.” It added that the state guaranteed freedom of the press and other media “as shall be regulated by law in a democratic society.”[1] Finally, the constitution stated that all media must abide by professional ethics, refrain from inciting religious, ethnic, racial, or cultural hatred, and must not agitate for violence or war.
Transfer of responsibility for monitoring the media resulted in only marginal improvement because state security officials circumvented the NPC by relying on the government prosecutor in charge of subversive crimes.
In 2010, Sudan suspended the BBC’s license to broadcast in Arabic on local FM frequencies in four Northern cities, including Khartoum.
[1] In addition to domestic and satellite TV services, there was a subscription cable network, which directly rebroadcast uncensored foreign news and other programs.
[8] There were hardly any Sudanese readers, and this semi-governmental paper catered mainly to British, Egyptian and Syrian government officials and merchants.
[8] The second newspaper, named Ra'id el Sudan/Sudan Herald, was published in 1912 by Greek businesspeople, who also owned the Victoria Press.
[8] In 1934, the fortnightly magazine El Fajr (The Dawn) was founded by "young men revolting against traditional thinking".
[8] The official Sudan News Agency (Suna) was established in 1971[10] and continues to distribute information in Arabic, English, and French.
[1] After the announced end of censorship on all Sudanese newspapers in July 2003 and a brief improvement in press freedom, a number of independent publications again experienced intimidation, interruption, and arrest of their editors.
[12] The National Intelligence Security Service (NISS) purchased the country's two most influential independent newspapers, Al-Sahafa and Al-Kartoum.
[4] The government funded the pan-Arab Al-Hayat, which had close ties to Vice President Ali Osman Taha.
[1] After 30 years of military government under Omar al-Bashir in 1989, the first independent union for Sudanese journalists was established in August 2022, comprising more than 1000 members.
Relating to the period from April 15, 2023, to August 15, 2023, the statement emphasised "the perilous situation faced by Sudanese journalists who have become collateral victims caught between opposing factions.
"[19] The dire circumstances have resulted in loss of life, injuries, imprisonment, and the flight of numerous journalists to neighbouring countries.
This report was compiled with the assistance of the Al Adwaa Media and Journalism Services Centre, the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate (SJS), the Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN), the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) and the International Press Association of East Africa (IPAEA).
Further, it stressed the importance of protecting journalists' professional and independent research and publications as well as their crucial role in shaping local and global perceptions of Sudan’s current state.
In particular, the journalists' answers to the questionnaire stressed the growing intimidation and hostility toward journalists, often based on political and ethnic animosity, the economic collapse of a free press in Sudan, frequent financial and psychological distress and the wish to relocate to safer working conditions both in Sudan or abroad.
"[22] On January 23, 2025, South Sudan's government directed telecommunications firms to block access to social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, for up to three months.
The National Communication Authority (NCA) cited recent upheaval in Sudan, where graphic videos depicting attacks on South Sudanese refugees in Wad Madani, Gezira state, were circulated on social media, leading to unrest in South Sudan.
The NCA emphasized that the content violated local laws and posed significant threats to public safety and mental health, particularly among vulnerable groups.
However, the ban has faced widespread criticism from South Sudanese citizens, who view it as censorship and a violation of digital rights.
