Return of restrictions on newspapers criticized

Khartoum-The security authorities confiscated on Tuesday Al-Sayha newspaper from the printing press without giving any reasons for the move. Some of the newspaper’s Journalists said that the authorities have suspended the issuance of the newspaper for indefinite date.

Journalists have further criticized the return of the restrictions on newspapers in the wake of the temporary breakthrough that accompanied the political movement following the Presidential call for national dialogue

The return of restrictions appeared in publishing ban on corruption cases besides the statement of the Presidency of the Republic on Tuesday criticizing the performance of the newspapers.

The statement has said that some newspapers speak, repeatedly, on the national security issues, military and justice affairs in negative way that undermines the integrity of the homeland a matter which is considered as “crossing the redline”.

The statement said that the newspapers report on issues that affect people without verification, considering as defamation this type of coverage.

Last Sunday, the newspapers received an order to ban publishing articles or commenting on the case of the undersecretary of the ministry of Justice against Al-Sayah newspaper that published reports that the undersecretary of the ministry owns real estates exceeding 30 billion Sudanese pounds during his tenure as director general of the Lands Corporations in Sudan.

The newspapers have also received another ban order with regard to the corruption case of Khartoum State governor office.

On his part, the chairman of the Reform Now Movement Dr. Ghazi Salahu-Eddin said that the red line term is used commonly by people of government in Sudan, adding that” everybody says this matter is a red line.

deputies of the Parliament have criticized newspapers, and called for an agreement on a journalistic code of ethics to put an end to what they described as” violations by newspapers”

Member of the Parliament Al-Fateh Mohamed Saeed said that what has been circulated on the newspapers questions the credibility and honesty the government.

Head of the Popular Congress bloc in the Parliament Ismail Hussein said that restrictions on media are not a solution, saying that the case of the “apostate” female doctor and the statement of Al-Mahdi are not local issues any more.

Arabic Forum