The Sudanese Journalists Network issued a statement on Sunday 17 March 2019 stating that security authorities allowed some banned newspapers to resume publishing after a gap which lasted for over 70 days. It is to be noted that Al Jareeda, Al Meidan, Akhbar Al Watan, Al Baath and Al Tayyar newspapers have suffered repeated suspensions.

The statement pointed out that generally, the status of journalists and freedom of expression is passing through critical circumstances. More than 90 male and female journalists were subjected to detention, interrogation and beating during the period that followed the outbreak of popular demonstrations in Sudan. Over ten journalists were also subjected to criminal prosecution due to their coverage of demonstrations in Khartoum and other States, and that scores of journalists, Op-ed writers, media men and correspondents of news agencies and satellite TVs are still prohibited from writing or appearing on TV channels, with some having arbitrarily lost their jobs due to exercising their right to freedom of expression.

The Sudanese Journalists Network is doubtful that government’s policies toward freedom of expression have been changed, and attributed the recent developments to the visit of the American delegation to the Sudan, which engaged the government on political developments in the country.

Source: Sudanese Journalists Network (Facebook page)