Sudan approves draft law governing press with amendments

KHARTOUM, June 06, 2004 (Khaleej Times) — Sudanese National Council, the Parliament, yesterday approved the draft law governing Press and publications while introducing significant amendments to the same, according to media reports.

The approval was made following a heated debate during a session of the parliament and after criticism from journalists and writers.

The amended law cancels the penalty of imprisonment for a journalist and delegated to the court the power of arresting a journalist and banning him in case the law was violated again.

The National Press Council said the amendments would cater to the present-day needs of the journalist and help them progress.

Council’s Secretary General Dr Hashim Al Jaz admitted that the law was prepared by the council.

The competent committee proposed 11 amendments to the draft law with particular reference to the seventh chapter, which is related to the penalties and punishments.

Under the new law, the paragraph – which stipulates the imprisonment of the erring journalist – was cancelled.

The new draft law delegated the competent court the powers of convicting and suspending the journalists or the publication as well as sticking off the name of the journalist in case he/she repeated the violation. The court is also authorised to confiscate the paper and the publications if the “offence”