All Sudani Newspapers

A Guide to the Press of Sudan: Media in a State of Collapse and Exile

Welcome to your guide to the news outlets of Sudan. It is crucial to understand that since the outbreak of a devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, Sudan’s traditional newspaper industry has completely collapsed. A once-diverse ecosystem of daily print newspapers has ceased to exist, with newsrooms looted, printing presses destroyed, and journalists killed, arrested, or forced to flee the country for their lives.

The news landscape today is a fractured and perilous environment, dominated by online platforms run from exile, factional media channels, and the vital broadcasts of radio stations.

The End of an Era: The Fallen Print Press

Before the conflict, Sudan had a number of influential independent and party-affiliated newspapers, primarily in Arabic, that were central to the country’s public life. Publications like Al-Sudani, Al-Jareeda, and Al-Tayar were key sources of news and debate. These newspapers are no longer being published in print, and their absence has created a massive information vacuum within the country.

The Rise of Exiled and Digital Media: The New Frontline

The heart of independent Sudanese journalism now beats outside its borders. Courageous journalists who have escaped the violence continue their work online, providing the most reliable and uncensored news available. These digital outlets are the true “newspapers” of modern Sudan.

• Radio Dabanga: Based in the Netherlands, Radio Dabanga is arguably the most vital independent news source for the Sudanese people. It broadcasts via shortwave radio into the conflict-ridden Darfur region and across the country, and operates a powerful online news portal in both Arabic and English.
• Sudan Tribune: A respected and long-standing online newspaper, the Paris-based Sudan Tribune provides comprehensive and professional coverage of Sudanese affairs in English, serving as a key source for international observers and the diaspora.
• Other Digital Voices: A host of other websites and social media platforms run by exiled journalists contribute to the flow of information, struggling to counter the rampant disinformation of the war.

An Information War: Factional and State Media

The media outlets still operating within Sudan are largely controlled by the warring factions and function as propaganda tools.

• Sudan News Agency (SUNA): The official state news agency has split into two, with each faction—the SAF and the RSF—operating its own version of SUNA to disseminate its own narrative.
• State Television and Radio: The national broadcaster, based in Omdurman, is under the control of the SAF and broadcasts the army’s official line.

The World’s Most Dangerous Place for Journalists

Sudan has become one of the most dangerous and difficult places on earth for journalists. Reporters are systematically targeted by both warring parties. They face the risk of being killed in crossfire, arrested, tortured, and accused of espionage. This extreme danger has forced a near-total blackout of on-the-ground, independent reporting from many parts of the country.

To understand the situation in Sudan, one must turn to the resilient digital voices operating from exile. Explore our collection at w3worldnewspapers.com to connect with these vital and courageous sources of information.