IPI resolution on full access to Darfur for journalists

The security services have reviewed the contents of local newspapers before publication; some newspapers have been banned. In the same period, local and foreign journalists have been arrested and others intimidated or beaten by the security services.

These bureaucratic barriers include the need for special permits from the security services and a requirement to produce photocopies of travel permits at Interior Ministry offices to travel in Sudan.

The government also has an informal "blacklist" of foreign journalists who manage to evade these obstacles, and who produce critical reports.

Foreign journalists have sought to enter Sudan through Chad without visas. As a consequence, foreign journalists have been arrested and charged with espionage and false reporting.

The IPI membership reminds the Sudanese government that the media acts as an early warning for famines, conflicts and other states of emergency. By denying the foreign media access and repressing its media, the Sudanese government is undermining this role, jeopardising its population.

The IPI membership calls on the Sudanese government to remove all restrictions on foreign and local media and to allow journalists to report freely without fear of harassment or intimidation.

For the full text of the resolutions passed at the 56th IPI general assembly, see:
http://www.freemedia.at/cms/ipi/statements_detail.html?ctxid=CH0055&docid=CMS1179154566409

Article published courtesy of: IPI