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Amid this turmoil, Sudanese media have suffered significantly. As of May 2025, at least nine journalists have been killed in the exercise of their profession since the war began.  indicate that approximately 90% of the country's media infrastructure has been destroyed, and around 1,000 journalists have been displaced, leaving large parts of the population in an information vacuum without access to lifesaving information.  In this context, mis- and disinformation and hate speech are spreading widely and rapidly.

Despite these hardships, journalists continue to report on the humanitarian situation. In early 2024, a group of Sudanese journalists and independent media outlets established the Sudan Media Forum to provide life-saving information to the Sudanese population. In 2024, the Forum received support from UNESCO’s Multi-donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists and the Global Media Defence Fund to establish a joint newsroom for participating media organizations and to strengthen humanitarian information and awareness-raising on the conflict with a focus on the needs of women.

One of the Forum’s members, Leima Eljali Abubakr, shares her experiences as a journalist in exile. In addition to her work with the Forum, Leima is also one of the founders of the Female Journalists’ Network, which supports the development of professional skills of Sudanese women media workers and advocates for a safer and more gender-equal media environment. Like many Sudanese journalists, Liemia lives in exile in Uganda and continues to report on the conflict in her home country. 

1. Can you elaborate on the impact of the crisis on Sudanese media thus far?

Since the outbreak of war in Sudan on April 15, 2023, journalists and media institutions have become direct targets of the warring factions. Newsrooms have been ransacked, media equipment destroyed or looted, and press freedom has come under relentless attack. Journalists face life-threatening dangers daily, including death, persecution, threats, arbitrary arrest, torture, and enforced disappearance.

As the conflict intensifies and more parties become involved, these risks continue to escalate. Many of the warring groups have established their own media outlets, co-opting or silencing independent voices. Independent journalists have been absorbed into partisan platforms or forced into silence.

Meanwhile, the information landscape has been flooded with war propaganda. Disinformation, rumors, and hate speech are being weaponized to incite violence, racism, and division.

Beyond the battlefield, journalists and their families—both inside and outside Sudan—are grappling with severe economic hardship, limited access to healthcare, and dwindling job opportunities. War has not only endangered their lives but also stripped them of their livelihoods and basic rights

2. Facing severe threats, many Sudanese journalists have been forced to flee or go into hiding. The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate has documented hundreds of violations against journalists, including at least nine journalists killed in the exercise of their profession, according to UNESCO. Could you shed light on the challenges journalists encounter while striving to provide information amidst these dire circumstances?

Despite the dire circumstances, journalists in Sudan continue their work with remarkable resilience, facing a multitude of risks. As previously mentioned, they endure threats to their safety, severe restrictions on movement, and increasing limitations on their ability to report freely. Access to accurate and verified information is becoming increasingly difficult in an environment saturated with misinformation and disinformation. Yet, in the face of these challenges, journalists persist—often working with minimal resources and under constant threat.

Like millions of Sudanese citizens, they are also suffering from widespread insecurity, food and water shortages, and the collapse of healthcare services. Their commitment to truth and public service continues, even as they endure the same humanitarian crisis they strive to report on.

3. You are a journalist reporting from outside Sudan. Can you tell us more about the work you were doing before fleeing Sudan? What were the challenges you faced?

Even before the war, Sudan was a challenging environment for journalists—especially for women. Female journalists often worked under harsh conditions within media institutions, facing systemic discrimination, gender-based violence, and exclusion from decision-making processes. The media landscape was governed by repressive laws that curtailed press freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information.

Following the overturn of the government in 2018–2019, one of the key goals of media activists was to reform these laws to align with international human rights standards. Unfortunately, the reforms had not materialized by the time war erupted on April 15, 2023.

Despite these longstanding challenges, Sudanese journalists continued to report courageously, highlighting community suffering, exposing corruption, and supporting political and civil society movements. However, the outbreak of war forced many of us to flee the country in search of safety. For female journalists, this journey was especially perilous.

The risks began the moment we left our homes. We had to pass through numerous checkpoints, where privacy was routinely violated. Security officers searched our mobile phones, scrutinizing photos and social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter, even reading private messages on WhatsApp.

Reaching a place of relative safety outside Sudan did not mark the end of our ordeal. The trauma, uncertainty, and struggle for stability continue—both as journalists and as displaced individuals.

4. The Sudan Media Forum unites over 20 media outlets and emerged to raise awareness about the country's plight. How did this forum come into existence, and what role does it play in the current context?

In light of the tragic situation in Sudan and the profound changes it has brought, many press and media institutions have stepped up to reaffirm the role of journalism and are grounded in professionalism and full independence. These institutions are working to counter hate speech and misinformation by publishing verified facts and delivering coverage that adheres to the highest standards of journalistic ethics. Their mission is to provide accurate, reliable information to both the Sudanese public and the international community about the realities unfolding inside the country.

This commitment has been exemplified through the unification of several media organizations under the umbrella of the Sudan Media Forum (SMF). Through collaborative efforts, the Forum aims to gather, verify, and disseminate information in a fair, accurate, and independent manner.

To rise global awareness of the atrocities in Sudan, the Forum has launched several media campaigns. One of the most prominent is the “Stand for Sudan” campaign, which focused on the humanitarian crisis, including food shortages, the collapse of essential services, and the urgent need to end the war. The campaign called for an immediate halt to bombings and airstrikes, the protection of civilians and journalists, and respect for citizens’ rights under international humanitarian and human rights law.

5. In such challenging situations, how does the Forum present an accurate portrayal of the conflict while upholding journalistic ethics and professionalism?

As part of its broader media efforts, the Sudan Media Forum also established a “Joint Editorial Room” to produce accurate, well-documented, and independent news. This editorial room operates under clear guidelines focused on addressing famine, humanitarian crises, and violations against civilians. It is supported by ongoing media campaigns aimed at aiding and advocating for the Sudanese people.

The content produced by the Joint Editorial Room is widely disseminated across various media platforms, including news outlets, social media, and through articles, videos, and audio reports. This strategic distribution allows SMF to reach diverse audiences across linguistic and cultural lines, with content available in Arabic, English, and French.

6. A significant focus of your work is supporting women journalists, enhancing their content development skills, and combating disinformation. Why is this particularly important in the current context? 

The war in Sudan has further exacerbated the already difficult conditions faced by female journalists within media institutions. Deeply rooted societal norms that perpetuate gender inequality continue to shape the work environment, where women are often subjected to discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion from decision-making roles.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, violence against female journalists has intensified. Many have been subjected to sexual violence, rape, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, and job loss. Their professional tools have often been looted or destroyed, leaving them unable to continue their work. Most live in dire humanitarian conditions, lacking basic security, food, medicine, and access to healthcare. Some have even been targeted for assassination due to their journalistic work.

These ongoing violations have taken a severe psychological toll, made worse by the absence of mental health support, physical healthcare, and gender-sensitive services tailored to their specific needs and the risks they face both as women and as journalists. In addition, those who have spoken out against the war have been disproportionately targeted by online smear campaigns, insults, and verbal abuse—often more intensely than their male counterparts.

At the same time, most media institutions lack gender-specific policies, protections against violence, and mechanisms for safe reporting and accountability. However, the participation of female journalists in the Sudan Media Forum (SMF) offers a valuable opportunity to advocate for institutional reforms. Through this platform, women journalists are pushing for the adoption of gender-sensitive media policies that promote equality and non-discrimination.

7. Do you believe your efforts have a tangible impact on fostering peace and unity in Sudan? 

I believe the diversity within the Forum, and the diversity reflected in its media content, has been one of its greatest strengths. Through its campaigns and reports, the Forum has amplified the voices of Sudanese people across the country, highlighting their concerns and expressing their hopes for Sudan’s future after the war.

All of these efforts, combined with the contributions of partners and supporters, will play a vital role in building a future of peace and unity for our country. The Forum remains committed to continuing its advocacy for peace, justice, and national reconciliation in Sudan.

8. Looking ahead, how do you envision the role of the Sudan Media Forum once the conflict concludes? 

At that time, there will be a genuine need to rebuild media institutions within the country and to advocate for press freedom, access to information, and media legislation that is aligned with international human rights standards.

There will also be a critical need to enhance media professionalism by developing journalistic skills and building the capacity of the next generation of journalists through training and education.