Khartoum, June 03 (Darfur24)
A decision by Sudan’s Ministry of Culture and Information requiring websites, digital platforms, and online newspapers to register with the ministry has sparked concerns among journalists and media advocates, who warn it could pave the way for increased censorship and restrictions on press freedom.
Critics argue that the registration process requires sensitive personal and technical information and lacks a clear legal basis, as no law currently regulates electronic journalism or authorizes the ministry to oversee such licensing procedures.
The ministry recently called on owners of websites, media platforms, and online newspapers to complete registration and obtain legal permits through a designated form. It later extended the registration deadline by two weeks, with the new period running from June 1 to mid-June.
According to the ministry, the measure is being implemented in coordination with the National Council for Press and Publications to regulate the digital media sector and create a comprehensive database of media institutions and platforms. Officials say the initiative aims to improve institutional communication, support professional development, and promote accountability and professionalism.
The ministry also warned that legal action could be taken against platforms and online newspapers that fail to register before the deadline, although it did not specify the measures that may be imposed.
Darfur24 reviewed the registration form, which requests extensive information, including hosting details, names of managers and owners, personal and residential data, information about editorial and technical staff, and the results of criminal background checks.
Concerns Over Data Collection
Mohamed Ahmed, a journalist, told Darfur24 that the measure appears aimed more at collecting security-related information about journalists and online publishers than regulating the media sector.
He argued that any regulation of electronic journalism should be established through legislation enacted by the relevant authorities rather than administrative directives. Ahmed called on journalists and media organizations to reject the registration process and unite in opposition to the decision.
Another journalist and owner of an online news platform, Tariq Abdullah, described the decision as “deeply troubling,” noting that Sudan currently lacks a law regulating electronic journalism or defining the authority responsible for issuing licenses.
He said a new media law under discussion addresses digital journalism for the first time, but has yet to determine licensing procedures or the competent regulatory body. Abdullah argued that the ministry’s move lacks a clear legal foundation and was introduced without consultation with online publishers.
Fears of Surveillance and Targeting
Iman Fadl Al-Sayed, Secretary for Freedoms at the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, said the registration form reflects an attempt to establish extensive oversight of media institutions by compiling detailed information about their employees.
She warned that the inclusion of sensitive personal, security, and technical information raises concerns about surveillance and potential targeting, particularly given Sudan’s fragile security environment amid the ongoing conflict.
Fadl Al-Sayed also criticized the requirement for security clearances, arguing that it could transform journalism from a protected right into a privilege dependent on security approval.
She further noted that collecting information about media organizations’ operational structures, financial arrangements, and hosting services could give authorities greater capacity to monitor or restrict digital platforms.
According to Fadl Al-Sayed, several media outlets, including the Tiryaq News platform and Al-Ghad Al-Sudani online newspaper, were blocked before the registration decision was announced. She warned that the registration process could become a tool for ongoing monitoring and restrictions on journalists and media organizations.
She called on media institutions to exercise caution and stressed the need for clear guarantees regarding the protection of personal data, how it will be used, and which authorities will have access to it.