International Communication and Cultural Policy Final Presentation

1. Sudan’s Press and Publications
Act of 2009
Katie Mattern
SIS-645

2. The Press and Publications
Los Angeles Times Act of 2009
• Repealed the Press and Publications Act of 2004,
which allowed for widespread harassment of
journalists
• Changed very few aspects of the 2004 law, and kept
many of the repressive policies
• Members of opposition parties protested the law
when it was debated in parliament, along with
journalists and civil society members; government
repealed two of the harshest provisions for violators:
▫ Imprisonment
▫ Fine of up to U.S. $21,000 for newspapers and
journalists

3. Limits of Press Coverage
Cited from the Press and Publications Act of 2009
• The Press and Publications Act outlines some of the
following duties of journalists:
▫ “Observe honesty and integrity when performing their
professional duties while observing the values and
principles enshrined in the constitution and law”
▫ “Refrain from disclosing information on national
security and operation”
▫ “Refrain from obstructing the court of justice when
covering the court proceedings or investigations”
▫ “Avoid stirring commotion or exaggeration when
covering or presenting crime-related news or civil
violations”

4. Limits of Press Coverage (continued)
• Additional duties of journalists:
▫ “Refrain from publishing material that is anti-religious
or in contraction with the noble beliefs, norms or
scholarly knowledge to spread sorcery or quackery”
▫ “Not to stir faith-based, racial or ethnic turmoil, or
incite violence or call for war”
▫ “Respect and protect public manner, morals, religious
values, individual honor, privacy and sanctity as well
as to refrain from offending public decency”
▫ “Refrain from receiving foreign funds or donations
that would undermine their integrity or impartiality”

5. Additional provisions
• Press Council is responsible for monitoring all
publications and accrediting newspapers and
foreign correspondents
▫ Under direct control of the government
▫ Eight of the 21 members are directly appointed by
the President, including the Secretary General
▫ The President also has final approval of its budget
and all actions

6. Additional provisions
• Editors-in-chief are held liable for everything
printed in the newspaper
▫ From the Press and Publications Act: “The editor-
in-chief shall be the first person responsible for
the editorial performance of the newspaper; he
shall be held liable criminally or otherwise for all
content published in the newspaper without
prejudice to other legal liability of the journalist,
writer, artist, printer or distributor”

7. Additional provisions
• Registration of journalists
▫ All journalists must be registered with the
government
▫ Form fields include name, bank account and map
where journalists must point out their exact
address
▫ Creates fear with government having the ability to
track down journalists at their homes and punish
their families for what they cover

8. Pre-Print Censorship
• Used heavily during times when the international
community is critical of government
▫ Examples: Darfur, ICC warrant, South Sudan
recession vote
• National Intelligence and Surveillance Services
(NISS) officials visit newspapers before they go to
print
• Cut out any articles that are critical of the
government or cover “sensitive” issues
• Monitors can cut out so much of the paper that
occasionally they cannot go to print, leading to a loss
of money for the papers

9. Abuses of Journalists
• Image from Amnesty International’s report,
“The Chain’s Remain: Restrictions on Freedom
of Expression in Sudan”
▫ Caption: “Abuzar Al Amin, the deputy editor of
Rai Al Shaab newspaper, shows the bruises left
after he was tortured and ill-treated following his
arrest on 15 May 2010. He was later sentenced to
five years’ imprisonment because of articles his
newspaper published – he is a prisoner of
conscience.”

10. Videos and News from
ZambianWatchdog.com #SudanRevolts
• Video of government using tear gas to disperse
protestors, article from AllAfrica.com
• AFP Correspondent Simon Martelli arrested for
covering Sudan protests
• Video of protests from Egyptian journalist Salma
Elwardany
▫ Detained and facing deportation from Sudan
• “Why I’m participating in June 30 Protests!
#SudanRevolts”
▫ Blogger was arrested hours after posting the video
• Al-Jazeera English Report: “Has springtime finally
arrived in Sudan?”

11. Tweets from Foreign
Correspondents Covering Sudan

12. Tweets from Foreign
Correspondents Covering Sudan

13. U.S. Embassy in Khartoum
Announcement

14. Recommendations
• Push for the repealment of the Press and
Publications Act of 2009
• Pressure government and bring awareness to the
international community about the detainment
of Sudanese journalists
• Cover the plight of journalists in the country in
publications and the abuses they have been
experiencing