The African Editors Forum Condemns the Confiscation of Newspapers in Sudan
The coverage – in text and photographs – of people queueing for bread and public transport as well as motor vehicles queueing for fuel has led to the confiscation of newspapers by authorities in Sudan.
TAEF today strongly condemns the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) for the seizure of three entire print runs of Al Jareeda newspaper. Today was the third day on which the newspapers were confiscated directly from the printing presses, making sure that the publication does not reach the public.
The deplorable action by the NISS is designed to intimidate the media and deny the Sudanese public access to information they need to make decisions about their lives.
TAEF today stands with and pledges support with the journalists, editors and publishers in Sudan and urges them not to be intimidated by the might of the Sudanese state. TAEF urges them to publish and broadcast without fear or favour.
The NISS has in the past been responsible for a crackdown on the media, which led to the detention without trial of at least 8 journalists and the confiscation of the Al-Jareeda and Al-Midan newspapers.
TAEF calls on the Sudanese government to cease forthwith, the arbitrary confiscation of newspapers and the intimidation of journalists.
TAEF repeats its deep solidarity with and will continue to support Sudanese journalists who continue to work under difficult conditions. The journalists recently demonstrated against proposed new laws designed to tighten media freedom in Sudan. Amongst other, the proposed law would allow the statutory Sudan press council to ban a newspaper from publishing for 15 days without a court order.
TAEF again calls on the government of Sudan scrap the draft law and to dismantle the National Council for Press and Publications. TAEF further calls on the African Union to exert pressure on Sudan and other African governments to remove, from their statuette books, laws that are inimical to media freedom.
For more information
Jovial Rantao : TAEF chair: [email protected] or +27824466008
Makan Kone: TAEF secretary general: [email protected] or +22373299999
