Sudan
The state has maintained a firm grip over the media since the June 1989
military coup that brought to power the Islamist-led regime of Lt. General
Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The independent press, which flourished during the
brief period of multi-party government (1986-89), was dealt a serious blow
when the regime banned all privately owned publications on the day it assumed
power. Although some privately owned publications eventually reappeared
after submitting to government re-licensure, the prohibition on newspapers
affiliated with opposition parties has continued, and many of the journalists
formerly affiliated with those papers are now living in exile. The existing
private press is subject to close state scrutiny of their reporting on
sensitive political issues such as the country's ongoing civil conflict
in southern Sudan, government corruption, and domestic unrest. Over the
last eight years, the authorities have suspended or permanently closed
outspoken newspapers, and meted out long-term detentions and torture to
offending journalists. As a result, self-censorship is widespread.
Following a peace accord signed in April with seven rebel factions,
al-Bashir said that he was prepared to tolerate a more liberal press. In
an apparent sign of goodwill, the independent daily Al-Rai Al-Akher,
which was closed in 1996 following a series of run-ins with authorities,
was permitted to resume publication on June 23. The government also announced
that it would no longer arrest or detain journalists while they are being
investigated for press law violations. Amidst these developments, however,
al-Bashir stressed that the press is still obligated to work within the
limits of the law--a warning that criticism of the state or commentary
on taboo political issues will continue to place journalists in jeopardy.