Reporters at Sudan Radio and Television Corporation (SRTC), Khartoum. Photo: Anne Poulsen/IMS

The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 and the establishment of interim institutions paved the way for a more democratic setup for media ownership and practice in Sudan. It resulted in a number of changes to the media situation and allowed for the promotion of an environment conducive to freedom of expression and media development.

However, the main obstacles for independent and free media persist, with censorship, control, harassment and persecution of journalists and media actors as ongoing problems. Moreover, the environment for freedom of expression is clearly marked by regional differences. The political context in the North is different from that in the South. By the same token, the conflict in Darfur sets specific parameters for media workers active in that region.

The media are a decisive player in Sudan’s transition into a democracy and therefore need to play a strong, supportive role in helping to inform the public about the peace agreement and its implications. A strong and independent media may facilitate public participation in reconciliation, and help to diffuse the many threats to the peace process through professional media activity.

In close cooperation with a consortium of partner organizations, IMS is working in Sudan with the overall objective to promote freedom of expression. This includes supporting the creation of a free and independent media and a dynamic civil society in Sudan in order to bring about democracy and to ensure economic and social development that meet the needs of all citizens.

Among the activities is the establishment of roundtable meetings that have produced an outline framework for media policy and legislation in Sudan. Link to report. Furthermore, the Southern roundtables have adopted a draft regulatory framework specifically for the South and have presented this to the Government of Southern Sudan.

IMS is also working in the field of association building and capacity for advocacy through the establishment of two advocacy centers, one in the capitol Khartoum and one in Juba, where the government of Southern Sudan is residing. The advocacy centers will serve as a base for task force members, local facilitators, project staff and others and it will allow for information gathering and monitoring of freedom of expression and the development of the media policy.

Together with its partners, IMS will continue to lobby for the adoption and implementation of new legislation and reform of existing legislation, to ensure access to information and to support capacity building in the media sector through, among other things, the development of effective and sustainable professional media associations.