256 charges filed against Sudanese journalists and newspapers in 2014: prosecutor

July 1, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The office of the prosecutor for press and publications has disclosed that 256 charges have been filed against journalists and newspapers in 2014 calling for reviewing some items of the 2009 press and publications law.

The first prosecutor for press, Awad Balla Omer, briefed on Wednesday the state minister of justice, Ahmed Abu Zaid, on the nature of his office work and efforts it make in the domain of charges against newspapers.

The minister, who inspected several prosecutor offices, expressed readiness to provide the necessary support for the press and publications prosecutor offices besides facilitating coordination between it and the concerned bodies in order to play the role assigned to it.

He inspected the workflow at the prosecutors’ offices and detention centers, promising to resolve all problems facing their work in order to allow them carry out their duties in achieving justices and enforcing the rule of law.

It should be recalled that the office of the prosecutor for press and publications looks into charges filed against journalists and newspapers for defamation and publication of false news.

The office of the prosecutor often orders journalists and newspaper to pay fines when they were proven to have published news damaging to persons or corporate personality without having the necessary supporting documents.

Journalists complain that they are usually being prosecuted under three laws at the same time including the criminal code, the press and publications law and the national security act which allows the security services to summon and detain journalists besides suspending or confiscating print runs of the newspapers.

(ST)