Freedom of the press in Sudan

By: Alaa Babiker

Journalists have always been in danger when talking about the truth and reality in any given society. Mainly journalists who write about politics and governments. It is one of the main reasons why some journalists are affiliated to one party or the other to stay protected, and this is a direct cause of hiding the truth and spreading what could form clouds in the sky.

In Sudan, especially during the ruling time of the past government, all the journalists have been deprived their rights of practising honest and decent journalism. If a person speaks a reality, he is to be punished for doing so, his work is threatened, and he is to suffer greatly. This was one of the reasons why our country, people, and government have never lived the reality, all were living in a kind of numbness that led to the maximum deterioration in all life aspects, which eventually led to the chaos ended up with war.

In the coming phase, it is very important to let journalism in Sudan speak the truth. The government is to allow and protect all journalists while doing their work, because they are the mirror to the reality, they are to be listened to because they reflect the voice of the nation, helping them develop and rise up as good population.

Journalism is very important; when practised decently, it helps governments solve the issues and allow the political leaders to serve their people in a much better way. Many problems are not even categorized or known to the poor population, but when journalists investigate in, a spread medical condition for example, they spot the light and help the national health authorities to discover and eliminate what could be an epidemic soon!

In the end, we need to pray more the Allah to grant wisdom and positive thinking to our leaders to end this war and may him help and give strength to our Sudanese Armed Forces to free all areas and help the people to get to their homes safely.