Sudanese journalists say “a free press or no press”

25 May 2009

Fury has swept across the media in Sudan as a new media law threatens to further worsen conditions and heighten prerequisites for practicing journalism in the country. Last week, on 19 May 2009, more than 50 journalists holding banners that said “a free press or no press” gathered in front of the National Assembly to protest the draft press law.

The press law has been criticised for a number of repressive articles. At its foundation, the law gives the presidency, which appoints 8 of the 21 members of the Press Council, control of the media. No journalist will be authorised to legally work, nor will any media house be created without a license from the council.

The bill also allows the government to close newspapers and authorises the court to impose a large fine of 50,000 Sudanese pounds for a breach of the regulations. The press law is currently in front of the members of National Assembly for passage.

This development has come at a critical time for the country. Sudan is expected to hold its first general elections in more than 20 years next February. Though, with censorship rife and further constraints lying ahead, the media's election coverage could be severely jeopardised.

Since the National Islamic Front gained power in 1989, the Sudanese press has been subject to restrictions and pre-publication censorship. In Sudan, the first reader of any newspaper is nearly always a government official as they make nightly visits to newsrooms to check content. The government says censorship is necessary for national security and political papers and articles are routinely stopped before they are printed.

Article published courtesy of RAP 21