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Sudan Tribune

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Sudanese youth group launches anti-government radio on short waves

March 31, 2011 (NAIROBI) – A Sudanese anti-government youth group announced on Thursday that it has launched a radio on short wave frequencies across the country in order to drum up support for regime change, a bold bid to challenge state control over broadcast media outlets in the country.

Shararah-jpg.jpgWorsening economic conditions manifested in sharp increases in food prices compounded by a glum mood following the secession of the oil-producing south in a referendum held last January have stoked dissent in north Sudan.

A clutch of anti-government youth groups have emerged and are actively attempting to galvanize support for a popular uprising against the 22-years old rule of President Omer Al-Bashir government inspired by current revolts in the region.

However, their few attempts to stage anti-government protests over the last two months had failed to take on a mass appeal and were swiftly squashed by the authorities.

One youth opposition group known as Sudanese Youth Network (SYN) has taken the battle to a whole new level by announcing the launch of its radio programming on short waves across the country.

Breaking the news via a statement on Facebook, SYN said its radio broadcasts would start on short waves frequencies across the country as of Thursday, March 31.

According to the group’s statements, the radio programming would be broadcasted every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for 30 minutes starting at 6:30 pm [local time] and can be heard on 15540 kHz.

“We urge our listeners in all parts of Sudan to follow our broadcasts and provide us with information on whether our broadcasts have reached all [target] areas” the group’s statement said.

“The service will cover all parts of Sudan in a continuation of the tremendous efforts exerted by different segments of the society, especially youth groups, in order to get rid of the [National Islamic] Front regime to extricate Sudan from this dark abyss,” the statement added.

The group further asked those wishing to contribute to the radio or send audio materials to contact it through the following e-mail: [email protected]

It is not clear whether SYN radio’s broadcasts will be relayed from inside or outside the country, but Sudanese authorities have in the past successfully blocked the operation of radios it deemed hostile to the government, especially in the densely-populated Khartoum state.

Unlike print-media which enjoys relative freedom in Sudan, broadcast media is tightly controlled by the state and heavily regulated by the National Telecommunication Corporation, which also filters and monitors internet content.

There are 16 radio stations broadcasting on FM frequencies in the capital Khartoum, almost all of them focus their programming exclusively on entertainment, religious affairs or sport.

(ST)

4 Comments

  • Deng E. Manyuon
    Deng E. Manyuon

    Sudanese youth group launches anti-government radio on short waves
    It is very interesting development !

    Deng

    Reply
  • Ahmed Binouf
    Ahmed Binouf

    Sudanese youth group launches anti-government radio on short waves
    Salamat Sudantribune,
    Correction to what you wrote in that article, Sudanese Youth Radio “SYR” doesn’t launched by Shararah, neither this group has any connection with its main body “Sudanese Youth Network” that own and run this website: http://www.sudaneseyouth.net/forum
    The service used to be only over the Internet through the website, then over the shortwave 15540 kHz frequency starting March 31, 2011 in three different days, Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30- 7:00 pm Sudan local time.
    Please refer to the website listed above through this comments and make sure that you are publishing the right information on a such very important event in support to the youth movement and effort to toggle the regime in Khartoum down.
    Thank you
    Admin
    Sudanese Youth Network
    Producer of SYR Radio Programs

    Reply
  • Muhammad Osman
    Muhammad Osman

    Sudanese youth group launches anti-government radio on short waves
    Many thanks for your corrections Mr. Ahmed. The connection between Sharah and SYN radio has been assumed on the basis that the radio had been advertised on Sharah Facebook page. We have made the necessary corrections. Apologies for the inconvenience

    Best wishes,

    Muhammad Osman – Sudan Tribune’s associate editor.

    Reply
  • Ahmed Binouf
    Ahmed Binouf

    Sudanese youth group launches anti-government radio on short waves
    Thank you very much Mohammad Osman for the corrections, the only thing missing is, instead of the facebook link that appears there, our website link would be great because we only advertise on other groups facebook pages, we never created one for the radio service or the SYN.
    I really appreciate your efforts in reporting such great developments in the confrontation between the different youth groups and the regime.
    Regards
    SYN Admin
    SYR Producer

    Reply
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