SUDAN: EAJA Supports union's position in drafting of new Press Law

EAJA Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman

Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has expressed worry over the move by the Sudanese parliament to draft new press laws without meaningful involvement of its local affiliate, the Sudanese Journalists Union (SJU).

The union has withdrawn its nominees to the joint drafting committee with Parliament and the Press Council to protest what it views as an attempt to reduce its influence and role in the local media industry.

In the current press law, the authority to register journalists is vested in the journalists union, (SJU).The new draft legislation proposes that the Press Council takes over the role of registering journalists from the union.

It is believed that national security authorities have influenced this move, which the union has opposed saying it will undermine the union and the independence of journalists. The Press Council is largely viewed as being under the control of the government.

The union said in a statement it had withdrawn its nominees from the joint drafting committee for the new law which also has representation from Parliament and the Press Council.

“The SJU Executive Committee in a meeting in March 2012 supported the decision to withdraw from the drafting committee its members who include the union President, Dr. Muheldin Titawi, the Secretary General Al-Fatih Alsaid and, the Press Freedom Secretary Mekki Elmograbi following this mischievous move,” said the union in a statement.

“We will not participate in this process or accept any new law until Parliament investigates this incident and assures the union that its position and contribution to the drafting process will be respected,” said Dr. Titawi.
EAJA has supported the union in its stand - off with parliament over the development and appealed to the Speaker of the Country’s Parliament, Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir to intervene and streamline the process to the satisfaction of the union.

“We oppose any attempt to undermine the union and the media fraternity in the drafting of the new press laws and urge that the offending section be removed to facilitate dialogue and an amicable conclusion of the process,” said EAJA Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman.