Prime Minister: Government Committed to Press Freedom

Port Sudan –Sudanhorizon – SUNA
The Transitional Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Idris returned to the country on Thursday following a two-week trip abroad.

In a statement to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), Idris emphasized the importance of unity and vigilance regarding the critical nature of the current phase, which requires national cohesion and achieving the goals in the battle for dignity, ending the rebellion, and ensuring the integrity of the nation’s territory.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the vital role of the media and the work journalists do for their homeland, asserting that “All stand on the same footing in defending their country, protecting its people, and safeguarding its land.” He added: “The media has played its role fully despite the harsh conditions endured by all segments of the Sudanese people, including those working in the media and journalism fields.”

During his meeting with Al-Sadiq Al-Raziqi, President of the Sudanese Journalists Union, early this morning (Thursday) on his way back to the country, the Prime Minister expressed the government’s commitment to reforming the media and journalistic work environment and creating suitable conditions for responsible journalism. This includes ensuring complete freedom for the media and removing all restrictions that impede the implementation of the right of access to information as an inviolable principle.

Idris called on journalists to engage in serious dialogue on media, journalism, and societal issues, and to actively contribute to formulating a comprehensive national vision that strengthens national unity and protects the nation from divisions, conflicts, and disputes, while adhering to professional standards and rules.

The prime minister has emphasized the government’s commitment to reexamining the laws governing journalistic work, addressing the social conditions of media workers, and enabling media institutions to fully perform their duties in accordance with the government’s plan for reconstruction and repairing the damage caused by the war.

In this context, the Prime Minister announced the need for resolving all disputes arising from misunderstandings and natural tensions between official bodies and some media practitioners

The Prime Minister addressed media and press representatives, directing the dismissal of charges recently filed against some journalists, which had caused controversy in recent days. He called for this matter to be closed, urging journalists to play their role in supporting the battle for dignity, backing the armed forces, working towards unity, and confronting the existing challenges.

For his part, Al-Sadiq Al-Raziqi, head of the union, stated that journalists are at the heart of the battle, defending their country and people with their lives and blood without complaint or harm.

He mentioned that the union is preparing to undertake various measures to address the current situation of journalists, defend its members, and establish general frameworks that preserve press freedom, enhance journalists’ responsibility, and affirm their commitment to professional standards and the journalistic code of ethics.

He thanked the Prime Minister for responding to the union’s initiative and for his swift directive to dismiss the charges against some fellow journalists, especially the recent charge filed against journalist Azmi Abdel-Raziq.

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