Assessment of media development in Sudan, 2019-2020

Based on UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators (MDIs) that function as a reference framework for various national applications, this handbook assesses the state of media development in Sudan during the research period November 2019 - July 2020. The MDIs are a global research standard endorsed by UNESCO’s intergovernmental committee of 39 Member States, called the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

Under the guidance of a national advisory panel, this stock-taking covered the Sudanese media sector, including the legal and economic situation, the performance of media as an institution for democracy, the training and civil society ecosystem for media, and communications infrastructure. The research data reveal that Sudan at the time had at least 10 media-related laws in place that do not meet international standards. At the same time, the country had the benefit of an infrastructure of 30 institutions offering media education and training.

Sudan has an opportunity to restructure its media system to align with international standards on freedom of expression and the press, the safety of journalists, as well as pluralism. To support this, the current report has formulated recommendations for stakeholders’ consideration. These possibilities for reform cover independent media regulation, the promotion of media pluralism and the improvement of the economic playing field.