Paragraphs from Sudanese Journalists Union Report! (1) by Mekki Elmograbi

Dr. Muhildin Tittawi, the President of Sudanese Journalists Union,
Al-fatih Al-sayed, the Secretary General and Muhammed Beraima are
heading to Rabat – Morocco to represent Sudan at the General Assembly
of the Federation of African Journalists FAJ. SJU hosted the last
meeting for FAJ Steering Committee in Kenana – White Nile State in
Sudan. It was a very successful meeting. I want to present here some
paragraphs from SJU report for FAJ General Assembly. Although I
resigned from the post of Press Freedoms and Human Rights Secretary at
SJU Executive Committee last year, I have the honor to share in
writing this report as a member in the EC, and as a President of SPF,
Sudan Press Freedom Organization.
Press Freedom Situation in Sudan:
(The situation in Sudan during years 2012 - 2013 (up to March) is
affected by the war and the military tension along Sudan - South Sudan
boarders and the clashes in Darfur between the Government and
Anti-Doha movement but Sudan now is approaching to big political
change after cooperation agreements with South Sudan and some rebel
movements in Darfur. Moreover, the Sudanese political forces are
calling for permanent constitution for Sudan.
Another challenge is facing Sudanese Media in the ongoing process of
drafting the new media by the Parliament of Sudan. This initiative
(Media Law) comes at the time as the Sudanese people are heading
towards constitution-making process, a matter that requires more press
freedom to enable media sector to play a big role in this process.
Also, the position of SJU is to make the constitution that guarantees
Press Freedom and Freedoms of Information and Expression, after that
the new Media Law will be drafted and approved in a suitable and free
atmosphere.
There are enormous initiatives aiming at drawing up Media Law with
intensive campaigns and workshops to reach different goals but SJU
rejected any isolated step from the government to draft or to adopt a
new law because the current law (2009) has been adopted in an
atmosphere of national consensus between NCP and SPLM and others. For
these reasons SJU – after thorough discussions in its executive
committee- withdrew its members from the Media Law drafting committee
at the Sudanese Parliament in February 2012 because the drafting
committee ignored the suggestions of SJU.
During the years 2012 and 2013 (March) there are many problems that
are facing Sudanese Media and Sudanese Journalists….)