Media Release
17 April 2008
IFJ Welcomes Sudanese Agreement to End Censorship
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed an agreement by Sudanese authorities to end censorship after journalist union leaders brought together a group of newspaper editors in a concerted effort to strengthen ethical journalism and media independence in the country.
“We applaud the work of the Sudanese Journalists’ Union (SJU), which has been instrumental in ending censorship,” said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. “We also welcome the decision to raise awareness on the need for respect of the media code of conduct and commitment to ethical journalism.”
The SJU held a meeting on Wednesday with 27 newspapers editors and officers from the security services responsible for media and agreed to end all censorship and stop the practice of sending newspaper stories to the censor before publication.
The newspapers also agreed to adhere to the media code of conduct and to further discussions on how to protect press freedom and responsible journalism.
SJU President Mohialden Titawi said the union is committed to defending press freedom and that the legal process is the best method for solving publishing disputes. It also called on media to make responsible editorial decisions.
The IFJ has an Ethical Journalism Initiative aimed at promoting ethical journalism and self-regulation in the media industry. The IFJ and its affiliates in the Middle East and North Africa, including Sudan, will discuss at a regional meeting in Casablanca next month a programme of action for the region based on this initiative.
