Africa

Sudan

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 1.60	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

Sudan is still essentially one country with two governments, divided between the north and the south under a fragile peace agreement. The Khartoum government and the rebels have not spared the media from the conflict. The state controls both the public media and most private media in the north, but journalists in both the north and the south continue to labor under difficult conditions—including persistent harassment, torture, censorship, and denial of civil liberties. In the north, the government continues to apply a strict form of Sharia law to suppress media freedom, and only a few truly independent newspapers have survived. Furthermore, the government continues to draft new laws aimed at controlling the media. Although Sudan has more than 30 newspapers, both in English and Arabic, the approximately eight totally independent newspapers in the country stand to be most affected under this new law. On a positive note, the Khartoum government recently repeated its commitment to strike the law on censorship. However, the panelists attributed this move to external pressure against the state and expressed skepticism that it will be enforced.

South Sudan's 2005 interim constitution mentions freedom of speech, but absent a specific media law, South Sudanese journalists know that the freedoms they currently enjoy are not guaranteed. The SPLM government continues to work on laws to govern the media and journalists. The media deemed a draft bill oppressive, and the government took it back for amendments. Although some media associations believe that once their views are accommodated, the laws will be favorable, others charge that South Sudan will not be any better off. Additionally, while South Sudan's media have far more freedom, the northern media outlets enjoy far better facilities, pay levels, and training. Noted the panel moderator, David Aruai de Dau, "The only solution is to not only pass the media law, but to also train journalists, security forces, and the general public on the importance of the media."

Africa

Sudan

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Freedom House Score: 78 (Not Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}