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Passion for journalism is
certainly not lacking in Sudan, but faced with constant restrictions many
journalists lose their enthusiasm or choose to leave their country (AFP)
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Sudan
has traditionally been a country with a poor record in terms of media freedom,
with journalists and rights groups regularly highlighting issues related to
government suppression of freedom of expression and the mistreatment of members
of the media.
The
country consistently ranks among the worst in terms of press freedom around the
world, and the government headed by the ICC-indicted Omar Al-Bashir is well
known as an oppressor of members of the media.
Recent
events across the country have once again brought the question of press
freedom and the role of the government in controlling the media to the
forefront of international attention.
Government
cuts to subsidies on a number of commodities resulted in major demonstrations
being staged across the country. As journalists in Sudan attempted to
cover the protests and convey the truth of the situation on the ground to
people within and outside the country, they met with significant opposition from
government forces.
Members
of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) have once again
stepped in to make their presence felt in the media, providing newspapers with
the official government line for all reports, and preventing the publication of
those which chose not to toe it.
Courageous
journalism
Journalists
in Sudan have displayed a great deal of courage in their efforts to cover the
reality of the situation of the ground over the past month. However,
courage is something of a prerequisite for working in a country where
journalists are subjected to intimidation and harassment in a regular basis.
In
the wake of the recent demonstrations, while many journalists were identified
by the authorities and ordered to stop writing, others chose to stick by their
laurels and resign rather than publish and broadcast news which they knew to be
false.
One
journalist who stuck his head above the parapet and became perhaps the most
recognisable name associated with the embattled Sudanese media, is Burham
Abdel-Moniem, who openly confronted government officials at a press conference
on October 1. He accused the officials of lying and demanded that they
speak the truth to the people of Sudan. For his efforts he was rewarded
with detention and questioning, but he remains resolute in his defence of press
freedom.
Abdel-Moniem’s
colleagues have also displayed fearlessness in carrying out their work, leading
to many facing further persecution by the authorities. Amal Habbani, a female
journalist who has faced numerous difficulties from the authorities in the
past, was detained for eight days earlier this month, interrogated in unknown
locations and held without charge. Her
story features as a spotlight in this DCMF special report on Sudan.
However, she is by no means the only woman making a stand for justice,
and other female
writers and activists continue to stand up for their beliefs despite the
oppression they face.
Draft
Media Law
Earlier
this year, DCMF welcomed Sudanese National Council Member, Afaf Tawar as
well as legal experts and local journalists to discuss
a draft media law which is yet to be introduced.
The
press law of 2009 which currently governs the Sudanese media, has been
described as “the worst press law ever,” and experts had suggested that any change
would represent an improvement to the present situation by default.
However, as DCMF discovered, this may not be the case, and certain amendments
could result in even more suppression for the media in Sudan.
Despite
voicing a commitment to media freedom and to introducing international
standards of protecting freedom of the press, the Sudanese government has
consistently failed to demonstrate a willingness to uphold these standards.
In
short, legislation of any sort is powerless when faced with serial manipulation
and a total lack of transparency or enforcement. As the draft law lacks
the direction to alter the current state of affairs in Sudan, it will
essentially preserve a status quo in which journalists fear for their safety
and constantly face persecution for carrying out their work.
Journalists
in the diaspora
Because
of the many difficulties facing journalists working in Sudan a large number of
media workers opt to leave their home country and pursue work opportunities
abroad. The media in Qatar features many Sudanese journalists who have
relocated, and they have been keen to voice their support for their countrymen
suffering at home.
As
well as hosting the discussions on the draft media law earlier this year, Doha
Centre for Media Freedom also hosted a recent
solidarity stand to express their support for media workers in Sudan and
demanding that the government release journalists in detention and put an end
to their oppression.
While
journalists abroad attempt to contribute to the media landscape at home, the
battle for control of the media turns to the virtual world, and cyber conflict is beginning
to play a more prominent role in the quest for media freedom and censorship in
Sudan as well.
The
future for Sudanese media
Essentially
the media in Sudan require assurances that the government will refrain from
intervening in the everyday reporting and publication of
newspapers. Any legal amendments can only be fully enforced with
the full backing of the government and intelligence services.
Unfortunately in Sudan, these institutions are themselves creating many of the
problems facing the country’s journalists.
Indeed,
speaking to journalists within Sudan, and those who have chosen to ply their
trade outside their home country, it immediately becomes clear that the NISS
represent the most challenging threat to media freedom. The services
which people would hope would work to protect them are instead contributing to
the atmosphere of fear and oppression which has led to a strictly ‘Censored
Sudan.’
Source: DCMF
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