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Sudan's media landscape is dominated by public broadcasting institutions under government control, with the National Television and Radio Corporation maintaining total authority over content across 18 regions. Private media faces severe constraints with regime supporters owning most outlets. The regulatory framework centers on the National Council for Press and Publications under the 2009 Act, with the National Intelligence Security Service (NISS) functioning as primary enforcement through surveillance and arrests. Recent conflict since April 2023 has devastated approximately 90% of media facilities in Khartoum, forcing operations into exile while internet penetration reaches 28.7% and social media stands at 7.2% population, with digital media emerging as the primary alternative platform.
The National Television and Radio Corporation (NTRC) operates as the sole state broadcaster with total government control over content, budget, and editorial direction across all 18 administrative regions. The private media sector consists primarily of regime supporter-owned outlets facilitating political control. The government's strategy involves controlling media through ownership rather than censorship, with NISS purchasing 90% of independent newspapers including influential outlets. Print media has historically been more diverse but opposition parties like Communist Party and Umma National Party struggle maintaining newspapers due to regular confiscations and journalist arrests.
The 2009 Press and Publications Act established regulatory framework allowing authorities to shut down publications and detain journalists up to two months without charge. Courts can suspend newspapers for two months or revoke licenses after two suspensions. Recent reform efforts following 2019 revolution briefly reduced censorship but October 2021 military coup restored previous control mechanisms. Proposed 2025 amendments drew criticism for introducing ambiguous terms like "national security requirements" enabling arbitrary interpretation with security agencies regulating electronic media.
Digital media emerged as primary alternative platform despite infrastructure challenges, with internet penetration reaching 28.7% (14.6 million users) as of January 2025, while social media usage stands at 7.2% population. Facebook dominates with 73.75% market share, followed by YouTube 10.44%. WhatsApp serves as critical communication tool with 93% mobile users utilizing it for news distribution. Online media outlets like Radio Dabanga, Sudan Tribune, and Hurriyat operate from outside Sudan to avoid restrictions.
Government implemented systematic surveillance of online writers, arrested bloggers for critical content, and repeatedly imposed internet blackouts during protests including two-month shutdown during 2018-2019 uprising. Historical transformations include 1989 coup banning 55 newspapers and dismissing 1,000+ journalists, brief 2019-2021 reform window when systematic censorship declined, and current war since April 2023 forcing media into exile while creating information vacuums filled with disinformation from warring factions. Approximately 90% of media facilities including TV and radio destroyed in Khartoum.
Internet penetration reached 28.7% (14.6 million users) as of January 2025, with growth of 230,000 users (+1.6%) from January 2024. Social media active user identities stand at 3.68 million (7.2% population). TikTok reaches 3.68 million users aged 18+ (13.6% of adults, 25.2% of internet users) with approximately 27.4% female, 72.6% male gender split. Facebook dominates platform preference at 74%, followed by YouTube 10.4%, Twitter 7.4% as of September 2025. Mobile connections total 21.6 million (42.4% penetration) with 69.3% broadband-capable.
Recent conflict has devastated infrastructure with approximately 90% of media facilities including TV and radio in Khartoum destroyed. Reliable nationwide television penetration rates unavailable for 2025, but historic trends showed TV reaching under 50% population. Radio historically high reach in rural areas but physical station destruction sharply reduced accessible frequencies. Print media presence negligible due to destruction, economic crisis, and digital shift.
Widespread infrastructure destruction drives forced shift to digital and mobile media, especially messaging apps and social platforms. Urban versus rural usage concentrated in urban centers among younger male demographics with rural areas relying on traditional radio where operational. Internet and social media usage constrained by infrastructure damage, power outages, and conflict-related displacement affecting access and engagement patterns.
Government implemented systematic surveillance of online writers, arrested bloggers for critical content, and repeatedly imposed internet blackouts during protests. WhatsApp serves critical communication role with 93% mobile users utilizing it despite infrastructure challenges. Disinformation spreads through digital platforms as warring factions compete for information dominance amid information vacuums created by damaged traditional media.
| Demographic Category | Media Consumption Preferences | Influence on Trust Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Youth favor digital, social media, messaging apps; older prefer traditional radio/TV where operational. TikTok skews younger (18-34). | Younger audiences more selective with sources; older populations trust established state broadcasters despite constraints. |
| Urban vs. Rural | Urban concentrated internet/social media usage; rural rely on traditional radio. Conflict destroys access in both urban and rural areas. | Urban audiences access diverse sources reducing state media dependence; rural radio listeners trust accessible broadcasters more. |
| Socioeconomic Status | Higher-income access digital platforms; lower-income rely on free radio/TV where available. Conflict affects all income levels equally. | Access determines trust levels; those without alternatives trust available media regardless of government control. |
| Gender | Social media gender split 27.4% female, 72.6% male; rural women have lower access. Conflict restricts movement affecting women's media access. | Women in conflict zones have reduced media access; urban women access diverse sources. Trust varies by information source availability. |
Media trust severely compromised by government control, conflict-related infrastructure destruction, and pervasive disinformation. Government media lacks credibility particularly among younger educated populations aware of censorship. Independent outlets like Radio Dabanga, Sudan Tribune, and Hurriyat operating from exile gain trust among audiences seeking uncensored information. NISS ownership of 90% of independent newspapers undermines press independence and public confidence in private outlets perceived as regime-aligned.
Journalists face systematic harassment, arbitrary arrests on national security charges, and detention without trial despite alleged 2019 reform commitments. Reporters Without Borders documents ongoing press freedom violations. Widespread surveillance deters critical reporting and citizen journalism. Social media platforms provide alternative voice but also vectors for government surveillance and propaganda. Trust levels highly partisan reflecting audience allegiances to warring factions.
News consumption driven by immediate survival needs during conflict including casualty reports, displacement information, and security warnings. Entertainment and cultural content reduced from historical preferences as conflict dominates consumption. Radio historically preferred medium in rural areas but destruction limits access. TV viewing concentrated among urban populations with electricity access becoming increasingly scarce. WhatsApp groups function as primary information networks for diaspora and displaced populations.
Internet blackouts imposed during critical periods limit access to independent information. Those with access prioritize messaging apps over social media platforms for private communication. Print media largely inaccessible and unreliable due to distribution disruptions and paper shortages. Digital platforms enable citizen journalism documenting atrocities but also spread unverified rumors and propaganda. Streaming and podcast consumption minimal due to bandwidth constraints and infrastructure damage affecting 2025 consumption patterns dramatically versus pre-conflict baseline.
