Sudanese journalists end strike

September 29, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Journalists Network (SJN) called on Sunday to resume work, saying their strike against the censorship was very successful and followed by the majority of journalists in the country.

The unofficial union, which is a pro-democratic group of independent journalists, called on Saturday to start a strike over the security crackdown on local newspapers covering demonstrations against government austerity measures.

The security officers censured the coverage of demonstrations organized against the lift of subsidies. All the independent reports about the killing of protesters were removed and newspapers were encouraged to design protesters as criminals and vandals.

“Despite the directives issued by security service (…) to sack any journalist who strikes (over censorship), the will of journalists won for the dignity of the profession and the voice of truth”, said the SJN in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

The statement further said that some journalists resigned from some newspapers that decided to follow the regime and reflected only the government’s point of view.

The independent group condemned the arrest of two journalist yesterday by the security services : Amal Habani and Ugail Ahmed Naaym.

The SJN also expressed its solidarity with five news papers -Al-Alyam, Al-Jarridah, AL-Qarar, Al-Mashad Al-Ann and Al-Intibaha – suspended by the security service for an indefinite time f

The Sudanese journalists are under constant pressure exercised by the security service which used to send directives on what they should cover or not.

Recently, the daily newspapers also received news articles written by security service with directives to publish it and to make it visible for the readers..

(ST)