Sudan curbs BBC radio broadcasts on local frequencies
July 21, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese authorities informed the BBC Arabic service radio that they will no longer be allowed to broadcast on local frequencies citing violations by the widely popular station in the country.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) since several years is airing its Arabic service on FM frequency in Khartoum, Port Sudan, Medani and capital of Northern Kordofan Al-Obayid. Also Monte Carlo, the Arabic service of Radio France Internationale (RFI) is aired on the FM in the Sudanese capital.
The decision to stop the broadcasting will be effective within three months. It does not include the semi-autonomous region of southern Sudan.
Sudanese authorities refused to renew a permission to broadcast its Arabic programme saying that the British government sponsored corporation imported unauthorized devices through the diplomatic pouch two years ago, informed sources tell Sudan Tribune.
It is not clear why the decision was taken only now.
The matter had been considered at the time as violation of the Sudanese law and the devices were confiscated by the authorities.
According to the pro-government Al-Rayaam newspaper, a British delegation was in Khartoum to discuss the issue with the concerned officials here but failed to convince them to change their minds, the daily said.
The British radio remains available on the short waves.
In 2007, Sudan expelled the BBC Correspondent Jonah Fisher accusing him of “hostile reporting”.
(ST)
Paul Ongee
Sudan curbs BBC radio broadcasts on local frequencies
Khartatoum’s Islamic mentality of intransigence to be open to the 21st century is not new. It needs to realize that public opinion about what is acceptable or not can never be manipulated on the basis of political Islam that restricts freedom of communication and other amenities. For how long will Khartoum continue to live in this kind of denial without considering the changing dynamics? If Khartoum refuses to change, the forces of change will change it in the present of its Islamic fundamentalists.
Paul Ongee
Khartoum, Sudan
DASODIKO
Sudan curbs BBC radio broadcasts on local frequencies
When BBC in Sudan was run by NCP memeber Kamal, they alloed the BBC to operate in Sudan because he was always broadcasting misleading information about Sudan. Now because the BBC has changed the crew and brought scrupulous ones that is hwy they are aggressive with BBC. If BBC agree to broadcast Quraan reciation they will allow it to operate.
Achuil Manyuat Tong
Sudan curbs BBC radio broadcasts on local frequencies
They government might have taken this step simply because the BBC is a impairtial channel which air exactely the people say and as such will likely air information or opinion of southerners which frequently goes favourable to separation somthing the government does not dare to listen to here in the north.
They should simply resort to their international frequencies.