Support for Sudan Media Forum's 'Silence Kills' campaign
On 6 and 7 November 2024, Free Press Unlimited attends a meeting together with Sudanese partners in the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to draw attention to the forgotten war in Sudan. The meeting centers around the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. This year's theme, "Journalists' Safety in Crises and Emergencies", resonates deeply in Sudan.
Free Press Unlimited has been working in support of independent journalism for the people of Sudan since over 15 years. Our partner Dabanga still manages to report on the situation of the country in spite of the ongoing war. Last year all independent journalism platforms of Sudan joint efforts in the Sudan Media Forum (SMF), an initiative with the mission to strengthen citizens voices for an immediate cease fire, peace and return to democracy.
On 6 November the SMF launched the campaign: “Silence Kills: No Time to Waste for Sudan,” to focus global attention on the ongoing violence and human rights violations occurring in Sudan. This campaign aims to mobilize international pressure to end the conflict and hold perpetrators accountable.
Leon Willems, Senior Advisor International Partnerships: "Free Press Unlimited wholeheartedly supports the forum and encourages the international community to not give up on Sudan, intervene for humanitarian access and support efforts to end the war. Independent media are the only channels of information for the international eyes since the start of the war between the army and militias. It is of crucial importance to keep the media lifeline in Sudan going."
Media darkness
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan on April 15, 2023, violations against journalists have escalated to an unprecedented level. It is important that the responsible parties, both locally and internationally, take their responsibility to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that journalists, who risk their lives to convey the truth, receive necessary protection.
Sudan is falling into media darkness with 80% of all 18 Sudanese states deliberately cut off from internet and communications networks and 90% of the media infrastructure destroyed.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, also part of the Sudan Media Forum, has recorded the impact of the war on media 18 months after it started. Sudan is falling into media darkness with 80% of all 18 Sudanese states deliberately cut off from internet and communications networks and 90% of the media infrastructure destroyed. Over 1000 journalists lost their jobs, and were forced to flee abroad or resort to other professions. 54 journalists have been disappeared or arrested and 13 journalists were killed.
Joint statement
At the meeting in Ethiopia, the Sudan Media Forum came forward with a statement.
The Sudan Media Forum calls on the Sudanese authorities and all warring parties to:
- Immediately cease all attacks and threats against journalists and media workers.
- Conduct prompt and impartial investigations into all killings and violations targeting journalists.
- Ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and held accountable for their crimes.
- Guarantee the safety and protection of journalists, allowing them to work freely without fear of reprisal.
- Respect press freedom and uphold the public's fundamental right to access information.
The coalition says: “Achieving justice requires collective action. We must expose the crimes committed against journalists, stand in solidarity with one another, and tirelessly advocate for an end to impunity. The Sudan Media Forum remains deeply committed to the principles of ethical and professional journalism. We will continue to provide the Sudanese people with accurate, reliable, and independent information. We honor the memory of the fallen journalists, pray for the swift recovery of the injured, and demand the release of those detained and forcibly disappeared.”
