(NDIMA/IFEX) – On 22 November 2001, Sudanese authorities were reported to have detained thirty journalists and other employees of an independent daily after the individuals marched to the Information Ministry to protest a decision by censors to ban the publication of a story on corruption. The thirty journalists from the daily “Al-Watan” were arrested and […]
(NDIMA/IFEX) – On 22 November 2001, Sudanese authorities were reported to have detained thirty journalists and other employees of an independent daily after the individuals marched to the Information Ministry to protest a decision by censors to ban the publication of a story on corruption.
The thirty journalists from the daily “Al-Watan” were arrested and loaded onto three trucks after they delivered a protest note to an official at the ministry, which oversees censorship.
There was no word on the arrests from the government, which has been increasingly annoyed with criticism in the local media. Sudanese law punishes the publication of unsubstantiated accusations of corruption by fines and jail terms.
The story in question was about eighteen trucks in Khartoum loaded with allegedly expired medical supplies destined for sale in rural areas. Just before going to print, the newspaper’s management was told that it risked a ban if it went ahead and printed the story. The newspaper’s editor chose not to bring out the newspaper in protest.
“Al-Watan”, known for its investigative reporting and bold handling of corruption cases, was suspended soon after the 1989 coup that brought the current Islamic government to power.
