Sudan Press Freedom Watch  Issue #3

05:36 PM April, 19 2016

Sudanese Online
SudaneseOnline Press Release-Phoenix Arizona USA
My Library
Short URL

شبكة الصحفيين ال ُسودانيين
SUDANESE JOURNALIST NETWORK (S.J.Net)
Authority
Violatios
96%
Publishes
Violatios
0%
Other
Violations
4%
MAIN VIOLATIONS ANALYSIS
Sudan Press Freedom Watch
1
st January – 31st March 2016 (issue# 3)
Produced by the Sudanese Journalists Network (S.J.Net), Sudan Press Freedom Watch is a
quarterly bulletin concerned with monitoring and reporting on the space and flux for press and
media space in Sudan. The bulletin acts as an evidence base and is used to engage with policy
and decision-makers to improve and expand the space for press freedom.
Data and information is collected via information and communication technologies through a
network of trusted correspondents from press freedom activists and journalists throughout the
country. Information is also processed, verified, and analyzed through focus group discussions `
This report presents a summary on the space for press freedom, accompanied with charts and a
listing of all incoming reports in relation to the space of media and press system for the period
2016 (1st January- 31st March)
Summary of Press Freedom Space during this period
There is no sign of improvement in press freedom during the first quarter of 2016, according to
data received by the press freedom monitor. A total of 23 press freedom violations were reported
during this period compared to 18 reported violations during the last quarter of 2015. These ongoing
violations include summoning, interrogations, arrests, court proceedings and travel
restrictions; majority of which were committed at the hands of National Security (10 violations
out of the total violations reported).
شبكة الصحفيين ال ُسودانيين
SUDANESE JOURNALIST NETWORK (S.J.Net)
Summoning
/Interrogation
30%
Arrest
10%
Trial
25%
Newspaper
Confiscation
35%
توزيع المواضيع الفرعية:
Al -Tayar Newspaper was seized and shut down since early December 2015 and continues to
be banned from publishing as its court case is still on-going. More cases of newspaper seizures
by National Security were witnessed during this period; Al-Ayam, Al-Sudani and Al-Mostaqila
newspapers were confiscated by security from their print houses after issues were printed,
without given any official reason.
Violators of press freedom have not been restricted to National Security, other governmental
bodies appear to now have free reign to summon, interrogate and arrest journalist. As observed
during this quarter, Traffic Police summoned and arrested Mr.Yasir Mahmoud Al-Bashir,
journalist at El-Mostaqila newspaper twice regarding an article he published on corruption in the
Traffic Police Forces.
National
Security Service
50%
The Press and
Printing
Attorney
10%
Attoreny
General Office
5%
The Press and
Printing Court
20%
Literary
5%
Traffic Police
10%
VIOLATORS ANALYSIS
شبكة الصحفيين ال ُسودانيين
SUDANESE JOURNALIST NETWORK (S.J.Net)
Court proceedings against journalists and Editors in Chief continued during this period with
many cases against journalist regarding the publishing of articles that are classified as ‘red-line’
topics. The hearing of Ms. Inam Adam (journalist) and Mr. Osman Mirghani (Editor in Chief)
from El-Tyar newspaper was held regarding two claims made against them following the
publishing of two articles on radioactive waste in October, 2015.
During this quarter, a number of journalists were summoned and interrogated (8 reported cases)
by security regarding articles they published, representing an unprecedented and increasing
escalation of violations towards press freedom. Mr. Abdul Azim Saleh, Editor in Chief, and Ms.
Nasra Abdelrahman, journalist at Akhir Lahza newspaper were both summoned and interrogated
regarding a published article on the activities of the Boko Haram group in Sudan.
Travel restrictions and the illegal withholding of travel documents against journalist were also
witnessed during this quarter. Mr. Faisal Mohamd Salih was prevented from traveling to London
by security at Khartoum International Airport; his passport was confiscated and informed that his
name is on the Travel Ban List.
Reports of violations this period included violations against TV and Radio Channels, TV
programs continue to be subject to censorship and review before broadcasting. National Security
summoned and interrogated Mr. Mojahid Abdalla, (Program Producer) at Omdurman TV
Channel, regarding a program concerning DAL and Kajbar Dam, and ordered producers from
Omdurman TV to provide a weekly report on each program to be reviewed before broadcasting.
The space of press freedom in Sudan is constantly affected by government views on certain
issues, the list of ‘off-limit’ topics rise according to the country situation, any opposing views
with the government position will be subject to violation. At the same time, journalists are
ordered to write positively on topics concerning government’s plans or policies (the National
Dialogue, the Darfur Referendum and the Nubian Dams Constructions). Government
international relations also has an effect on the space of press freedom, as an example Raad AlShmal
and Saudi Packages Storm were among the redlines topics during this period.
The space for press freedom is expected to narrow further with the introduction of the new Press
and Printing Law, expected to pass in mid-April, 2016. This law will contain articles that
monitor both print and electronic newspapers as well as publishing articles on social media.
Moreover, the new law contains a specific article to prevent any printing operation without
Government approval. The implementation of this law will curtail press freedom and reflects the
worsening social and political situation in the country.
Summary of incoming reports
This is a summary of all reports for the press freedom DMS system during the period
January 1 to March 31, 2016.
شبكة الصحفيين ال ُسودانيين
SUDANESE JOURNALIST NETWORK (S.J.Net)
Authority Violations
Date Reported Violation
Category: Summoning /Interrogation
2/2/2016 National Security summoned and interrogated Mr. Mojahid Abdalla, (Program
Producer), Mr. Esam El Sayegh (Program Director) and Mr. Osman Kojali (Channel
Director) at Omdurman TV Channel, regarding a Program concerning DAL and Kajbar
Dam. Security ordered that the channel provide a weekly report with all program
content as well as the names of all the guests set to appear on the program to be
reviewed before broadcasting.
11/2/2016 Khartoum State Security Attorney summoned and interrogated Mr. Abdul Azim Saleh,
Editor in Chief, and Ms. Nasra Abdelrahman, journalist at Akhir Lahza newspaper
crimes division, regarding a published article on the activities of Boko Haram group in
Sudan. Both have been released.
1/3/2016 National Security summoned and interrogated Ms. Rokaya Al Zaki, journalist at AlRay
Al-Aam newspaper after publishing an article on financial corruption related to the
Union of Workers in parliament.
1/3/2016 A warrant was issued against Mr. Zine El-Abidine Ajab, the former editor of ElMostaqila
newspaper after the publishing of two reports, one concerning Sudan
providing “ISIS "with fighters, and the other regarding funding received from Qatar to
Khartoum and Addis Ababa to deprive Egypt. Following the warrant, Khartoum Press
and Publications Attorney interrogated and later released Mr. Zine El-Abidine Ajab,
regarding the two claims reported against him by NISS.
1/3/2016 Traffic Police interrogated Mr.Yasir Mahmoud Al-Bashir, journalist at El-Mostaqila
newspaper, regarding an article he published March 1, 2016 on corruption in the traffic
police forces. Mr. Yasir was ordered to come to Traffic Police Headquarters in
Khartoum and released after hours of interrogation.
9/3/2016 Traffic Police ordered Mr. Yasir Mahmoud Al-Bashir, journalist at El-Mostaqila
newspaper to come to Traffic Police Headquarters in Khartoum for the second time. A
warrant was issued after publishing an article on corruption in the traffic police forces.
He was questioned again and later released.
Category: Arrest
شبكة الصحفيين ال ُسودانيين
SUDANESE JOURNALIST NETWORK (S.J.Net)
3/2/2016 National Security arrested and interrogated journalist Ms. Amal Habani, during a
protest against the Human Rights Violations in Darfur. Ms.Amal was taken to the
premises of National Security in Khartoum, Bahri and released after several hours of
questioning. The protest was organized by the Solidarity of Sudanese Women Alliance
and the Committee for Solidarity with the Families of Martyrs.
14/3/2016 National Security summoned and interrogated Mr. Elias Fatih El-Rahman, Founder/
Manager of Madarik House for publishing and distribution, regarding the activities of
the Print House. Mr. Elias is still under investigation.
Category: Trial
18/2/2016 Press and Printing Court held a hearing of Mr. Ayoub Siliak , journalist at Sawt
Elfalah newspaper regarding the claim against him made by the Agricultural Bank
Director, Mr. Salah Hassan Ahmed after publishing an article about corruption in the
bank.
21 /2/2016 Press and Printing Court held the hearing of the case against Mr. Haidar Khairallah
(journalist) along with Mr. Ashraf Abdel-Aziz (Editor in Chief) at Eljareeda newspaper
regarding a claim made against them by Blue Nile TV (on behalf of one of its
companies), in reference to an article published on corruption in the Ministry of
Justice. The next hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016
21 /2/2016 Press and Printing Court held a hearing of journalist Ms. Inam Adam and Editor in
Chief, Mr.Osman Mirghani from El-Tyar newspapers, regarding two claims against
them made by the Minister of Communications and Science, Ms. Tahani Aballah in
reference to two articles about the radioactive container they published on El-Tyar
newspaper on Thursday, October 1, 2015. The next hearing was scheduled for Sunday,
March 6, 2016 and later postponed until 22nd March. It was again postponed to the 28th
April due to the absence of the complainant.
2/3/2016 Press and Printing Court (Intellectual Property Court) held a hearing of Ms. Heba
Abdel Azim, journalist at Al-Sudani newspaper regarding publishing an article on
financial corruption of governmental officials in the Ministry of Social Welfare.
31/3/2016 Press and Printing Court Attorney summoned and interrogated Mr. Madiha Abdallha
(Editor in Chief) and Mr. Mohamed Elfatih (journalist) at El-Mydan newspaper
regarding an article published on 13th March, 2016 about corruption in the distribution
of land in the Halifaya area, Khartoum North. Interrogations lasted two hours, and both
Mr. Madiha and Mr. Mohamed were charged with the publication of false news and
defamation of the Criminal Code, as well as Article 24 of the Press and Publications
Law (Liability of Chief Editor).
Category: Newspaper Confiscation
2 /2/2016 Al-Tyar newspaper was seized by security and shutdown since early December 2015.
According to Mr. Osman Murgani,Al-Tyar, Editor in Chief, the case is still in the
constitutional court.
شبكة الصحفيين ال ُسودانيين
SUDANESE JOURNALIST NETWORK (S.J.Net)
27/3/2016 National Security seized printed issues of the El-Ayam newspaper on March 27, 2016 at
2:00 am. The management of the newspaper was ordered not to distribute the printed
issue without providing any official reason for the raid.
14/3/2016 National Security arrested the Director of Madarik House for publishing and
distribution in Khartoum and confiscated a numbers of books, documents and
computers from the print house. The Director was released after hours of questioning
regarding the Print House activities. Property belonging to the Print House is still being
held by security.
17/2/2016 Al-Tyar newspaper is still prohibited from publishing since security seized and
shutdown the newspaper in December 15, 2015, following the printing of an issue
which included an article critiquing the government’s plan to raise subsidies on fuel,
electricity and wheat.
26/2/2016 National Security confiscated the book entitled ‘Biet El-Ankboot’ by author Fatthi
Eldaw from Bahri Market. A number of booksellers at the market were arrested for
selling the book and websites displaying the book have been blocked. The book public
has been banned from the public since its release last month.
15 /3/2016 National Security seized all copies of Al-Sudani newspaper issue of Tuesday, March
15, 2016 from the Al-Sudani Printing House without given any official reason.
According to journalist sources, it is suspected that the raid was related to an article
published about water contamination in Khartoum State.
27/3/2016 National Security seized print runs of Al-Mostaqila newspaper on 27th March, 2016 and
ordered management of the newspaper not to distribute the printed issue without giving
any official reason.
Other
2/2/2016 Security authorities verbally and physically assaulted Ms. Amani Khamis, journalist at
El-yom El-Tali newspaper outside the International Khartoum Fair.
8/2/2016 An official from the radio station Kndtekar a Nubian station based in Egypt stated that
the station is no longer broadcasted in Sudan. It is suspected that Sudanese authorities
banned the radio broadcast after the station opposed the construction of dams as it is the
voice of the local Committee Against the Construction of Dams.
شبكة الصحفيين ال ُسودانيين
SUDANESE JOURNALIST NETWORK (S.J.Net)
25/3/2016 National Security prevented journalist, Mr. .Faisal Mohammed Saleh from traveling to
London to attend a discussion on the book entitled ‘Sudan’s Road to the Future’ by
Kamal Idriss at Khartoum Airport. His passport was confiscated and he was informed
that his name was on the Travel Ban List. Mr. Faisal was asked to meet with NISS
Chief on Saturday 27 March, 2016 to fill a form to reclaim his passport and to clarify
reasons behind why he was stopped from travelling. He was asked to follow up on the
procedure.
Publishers Violations
Date Reported Violation
Administrative Suspension/ Dismissal
N/A
Established in 2009; The Sudanese Journalists Network (S.J.Net.) is a voluntary body that has a
union spirit. It aims to protect press freedom and freedom of expression. The network also works
to defend the rights of journalists and aims to enhance the working environment, build
journalists capacity, and uniting the journalist’s platform to face the sector issues, enhance the
journalists profiling in the society, as well as engaging with the regional and international
community.
For any enquiries about this report or for information on how to become a member of the

أحدث المقالات


• الحكومة الأنتقالية بقلم محمدين محمود دوسه
• تايه بين القوم/ الشيخ الحسين/ حكاوي السودان حاجة ( تسغرب) المخ!
• عثمان ابو غربية الفكرة الثورة بقلم سري القدوة
• أبوعركي البخيت (لكنو ثابت في المدي) بقلم عاطف عبدون
• رفض مصر للتحكيم الدولي يؤكد سودانية حلايب بقلم حسن الحسن
• لِنفترِض أنّهم يَشْرَبونَ الشَّاي..! بقلم عبد الله الشيخ
• الساقية لسه مدورة فهل تساهم في إيقافها بقلم بشير عبدالقادر
• من خلف أحداث جامعة الخرطوم ؟ بقلم عمر الشريف
• ممنوع تدخين الشيشة في السماء! بقلم أحمد الملك
• هل انتهى عصر الرجال والوطنية ليلبوا النداء....؟؟!!! بقلم سميح خلف
• هل رحيل بشار الأسد هو الحل؟ بقلم ميثاق مناحي العيساوي/مركز الفرات للتنمية والدراسات الاستراتيجية
• المروءة فى حياتنا بقلم محمدين محمود دوسه
• من باعو أراضي الوطن لن يعز عليهم بيع الهلال بقلم كمال الهِدي
• الوعي أولاً ..!! بقلم الطاهر ساتي
• أنتم أكبر من القانون يا سيدي..!! بقلم عبد الباقى الظافر
• والمشهد بقلم أسحاق احمد فضل الله
• الضحك الهدّام: عمدة البركس(3-4) بقلم عبد الله علي إبراهيم
• أعتصام أساتذة جامعة ألخرطوم ؟ بقلم بدوى تاجو
• عدل المستعمر الأنجليزي وجور الحاكم السوداني بقلم هلال زاهر الساداتي
• خواطر فى جنح الليل بقلم محمدين محمود دوسه
• البشير تحدث في الدورة الثانية للبرلمان.. و نسي حلايب! بقلم عثمان محمد حسن
• هذا هو الطريق و النهج الاصح بقلم غيداء العالم
• قبل كذبة الترابي القادمة بخصوص اكتوبر رجل بقلم شوقي بدرى
• عثمان ابو غربية الرجل الذي لم يهزمه القهر بقلم سميح خلف
• الخارجية المصرية تعلن ان حلايب وشلاتين مصرية اشكك بان السودان قام باجراءات بشأن حلايب

Arabic Forum