April 19, 2024

Press Freedom

Sudan

Sudan Security Arrests Peter Mackler Award Winner

Khartoum at night. Photo: Aamirco/Wikimedia Commons

Sudan continues to be one of the world’s most hostile environments for news reporting.

Award-winning commentator Faisal Mohamed Salih was arrested by state security forces Jan. 3 after covering the current wave of anti-government demonstrations, which have led to the deaths of 37 protesters, according to Amnesty International.

Salih won the 2013 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism.

Sudan currently ranks 174th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, according to the latest study by Reporters Without Borders.

The agency cites a steady pattern of government harassment and censorship against the media, in addition to arrests by the National Intelligence and Security Service. The NISS blocked a recent Sunday edition printing of The El Jareeda daily.

Read More >>