Sudanese security seizes copies of Al-Youm Al-Tali newspaper

August 10, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Wednesday has confiscated copies of Al-Youm Al-Tali daily newspaper from the printing house.

Journalists working for the newspaper told Sudan Tribune that NISS agents came to the printing house early morning on Wednesday and confiscated 15,000 print runs.

According to the same journalists, the information department at NISS told the managing editor that the newspaper was seized for publishing an article criticizing the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the deterioration of public services in the various states.

For its part, the Sudanese non-governmental Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) network said the seizure of al-Youm al-Tali reflects the regime’s lack of seriousness with regard to freedom of press and expression.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, JHR said the freedom of expression and press are basic requirements for creating a climate conducive for dialogue, describing them as the corner stone for the desired democratic transformation.

It added that reality on the ground belies the large media campaigns about the government seriousness to achieve peaceful transformation and dismantle the totalitarian regime.

NISS has recently intensified its crackdown on the newspapers and confiscated copies of Al-Taghyeer and Al-Saiha newspapers several times.

Last week, Al-Taghyeer newspaper decided to suspend publishing and started to lay off its staff following the large financial loss it incurred due to repeated confiscations.
The NISS routinely confiscates newspapers either to prevent circulation of certain stories or to punish them retroactively on previous issues.

It uses seizures of print copies of newspapers, not only to censor the media but also to weaken them economically.

(ST)