The Government of Sudan and the Government of Egypt have agreed to re-energize the press Charter of Professional Ethics they had signed, in addition to an agreement on a number of understandings relating to legislation, training and exchange of expertise.

Sudanese Information Minister Mr. Bishara Gumma and the head of Egypt’s Higher Council for Information Mr. Mukram Mohamed Ahmed revealed on Saturday 1 December their intent to enact a law to confront cybercrime, and what they described as social media excesses, besides to establish a unified front and take identical stances towards mutual issues and positions of the two countries.

The two countries signed a cooperation agreement focusing on an implementation programme for media in the two countries besides a charter of professional ethics. Sudanese bloggers have faced a number of criminal prosecutions because of material critical of the government. The cybercrime court had already considered a number of cases filed by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) against bloggers.

On the other hand, the Sudanese chief editors earlier signed a Charter of Professional Ethics for Sudanese journalists in the presence of the Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Services and the Speaker of the National Assembly. Sudanese journalists criticized the Charter, saying it restricts freedom of press and contravenes Article 30 (1) of the constitution of Sudan which provides: every citizen shall have the right to freedom of expression, reception and dissemination of information and publications and the state shall guarantee the freedom of press and other media.