National Council for Press and Publications

Overview :

Documentation of the status of press and publications first began at the dawn of the second decade of the last century. A Press and Publications Department was established by the intelligence official at the time and was attached to the Liaison Office. It operated under temporary orders issued by security authorities until 1930, when the first law regulating press and publications was enacted as part of security operations. The implementing body was the Civil Secretary.

Following independence in 1956, responsibility shifted to the Ministry of Interior (Political Department). A committee known as the "Press and Publications Committee" was formed, chaired by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior. Its primary duties included:

• Granting licenses for publications and newsletters.
• Licensing local news agencies.
• Licensing printing presses.
• Monitoring and banning publications entering Sudan.

This committee continued its role until the Press and Publications Act of 1973 was passed on May 10, 1973. This law granted the Minister of Culture and Information the authority to supervise and implement the act. It also mandated the formation of a Press and Publications Council appointed by the President of the Republic. The first council was formed on July 10, 1973, chaired by the Minister of Culture and Information, with the Minister of Interior and other specialists as members.

Structural Evolution and Responsibilities :

In July 1983, the first structured position for the Council was created within the general hierarchy of the Ministry of Culture and Information at the rank of Deputy Undersecretary, titled "Secretary-General of the Council." This official became the primary executive lead reporting to the Minister.

In 1984, the Council was also tasked with implementing the law for censoring visual and audio recordings, until the Literary and Artistic Works Act was amended and those specific powers were transferred to the Council for Literary and Artistic Works.

In implementation of the recommendations from the Dialogue Conference on Media Issues, the Press and Publications Act of 1993 was issued. This act transformed the Council into an independent body with a legal personality under the patronage of the President of the Republic. It was renamed the "National Press Council," consisting of twenty-one members, including the Chairman and the Secretary-General. This was subsequently followed by the Press and Publications Act of 1996.

Objectives

• Formulating general policies in the field of journalism, guided by community values and in accordance with the general directives of the Constitution and state strategies.
• Enhancing the journalism profession and raising the professional standards of its practitioners to provide a journalistic service that satisfies the reader.
• Supervising the general performance of journalistic institutions, companies, publishing houses, printing presses, media service centers, and news agencies, while reviewing their professional performance.
• Overseeing the training of journalists in coordination with journalistic institutions.
• Assisting in providing requirements for the press and printing industry and overcoming the obstacles they face.
• Ensuring an appropriate minimum wage for journalists and employees in journalistic institutions.
• Cooperation and exchange of expertise with similar councils and bodies in other countries.
• Initiating legal procedures against newspapers and journalistic publishing houses.

Nature of Work (Powers and Functions)

In order to exercise its competencies as stipulated in Article (8), the Council shall have the following powers:

• Granting licenses to journalistic companies and institutions, newspapers, printing presses, publishing and distribution houses, and media service centers.
• Opening a register for journalists, conducting professional examinations, and granting the necessary certificates for practicing journalism.
• Suspending a newspaper in the event that it violates any of the licensing conditions.
• Partnering with the Journalists Union to hold journalists accountable according to the provisions of the 2004 Press Act and the Union’s Articles of Association.
• Ensuring compliance of journalistic institutions and companies with the regulations stipulated in the 2004 Press Act; the Council may request performance reports, particularly regarding board meetings, budgets, and audited accounts.
• Providing necessary assistance to facilitate the operations and activities of journalistic institutions.
• Forming specialized committees and organizing their functions.
• Accrediting bureaus and correspondents of foreign newspapers, satellite channels, radio stations, and news agencies, and maintaining a register for them without prejudice to the Ministry’s competencies.
• Reviewing complaints filed by parties affected by published material and suspending the newspaper until the investigation is concluded or for a shorter period.
• Contributing to the settlement of disputes within the journalistic community without prejudice to the powers of the General Union of Journalists.
• Establishing a General Secretariat for the Council, appointing its staff, and proposing their terms of service.
• Delegating powers to the Chairperson and the Secretary-General jointly, provided that decisions made under this delegation are presented to the Council at its first meeting for approval or rejection.
• Imposing penalties as prescribed by the law.
• Verifying the circulation and reach of newspapers and journalistic publications.
• Delegating powers to any competent authority in any of the states.

Funding :

The financial resources of the Council shall consist of the following:

• Annual financial support allocated by the State.
• Licensing and renewal fees for newspapers, printing presses, and their operational inputs.
• Grants, legacies, and aid accepted by the Council.
• Any other resources approved by the Council.

Press Classifications & Documentation

1- Foreign Press: Press materials entering Sudan—whether Arab, African, or regional—analyzed in comparison to the local press in terms of economics, layout, and content.

2- Partisan Press: The press issued by political entities and parties, and its mobilization or negative role regarding the freedom of expression.

3- Independent Press: The press independent of the government and political parties; it represents the public watchdog over government performance, combats corruption, and confronts suppression, tyranny, and the silencing of voices.

4- Government Press: The publications that act as the mouthpiece of successive governments and their role in national development.

5- Sudanese Newspapers Abroad: Sudanese newspapers formerly published abroad that lack documentation or primary sources, despite their significant role in the early stages of Sudanese journalism.

6- Regional Newspapers: Sudanese newspapers published in various states and regions, and the extent to which they reflect the local reality.

Specialized Press:

Documentation may also include specialized newspapers serving the specific purposes of institutions, groups, or particular fields (such as Literature, Economy, Art, Cinema, and General Interest), including:

7. Women's Newspapers.
8. Institutional and Sectoral Newspapers.
9. Magazines (all sectors).
10. Literary Press.
11. Electronic (Digital) Press.

Contact Information :

Location: Khartoum – East of Osman Digna Street – Adjacent to the FAO Building.

Telephone: 779816 - 794101

Postal Code: 11111

P.O. Box: 10030