Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis: Independent Media a Lifeline for Civilians
The Hague, Netherlands – In the midst of Sudan’s devastating conflict, independent media has become a vital lifeline for civilians, internally displaced persons, and refugees. According to Rashid Saeed, Team Leader of Verification and News Gathering at Radio Dabanga, 90% of media infrastructure has been destroyed, and journalists have been killed, targeted, detained, tortured, or forced to flee abroad since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023.
Speaking at the Free Press Live 2024 event in The Hague, Saeed emphasized the importance of independent media in bringing accurate information to the people. "We can be independent, but we cannot be neutral, and our priority must be to bring a stop to the war in Sudan," he said.
The event, organized by Free Press Unlimited, brought together journalists from conflict zones to discuss the impact of media during conflict. Saeed joined a panel discussion with Ekaterina Kotrikadze, news director of TV Rain, and Natalya Gumenyuk, a Ukrainian journalist and author.
Saeed highlighted the dire situation faced by journalists in Sudan, with 11 killed, 445 detained and tortured, and a deliberate internet and communications blackout in 80% of the country. He also expressed concern about the fate of dozens of journalists in Darfur, whose whereabouts remain unknown due to the difficulty of establishing contact.
Despite these challenges, Radio Dabanga continues to prioritize independent media coverage, focusing on the humanitarian situation, human rights violations, and the peace and political process. Saeed emphasized the importance of putting the citizen at the center of their coverage, using a bottom-up news flow to personalize stories and combat hate speech and fake news.
The event also saw the announcement of the Free Press Awards 2024, which honored two outstanding journalists. Mohammed Zaanoun, who has documented life and death in Gaza for over 20 years, received the Most Resilient Journalist Award, while Aike Beyshekeeva, a journalist from Kyrgyzstan, received the Newcomer of the Year Award.
As the humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to unfold, independent media remains a crucial lifeline for civilians, providing accurate information and a voice for those affected by the conflict.