Port Sudan: Vice-President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC), Commander Malik Agar, has emphasized the importance of developing legislation and laws, especially in journalism and media. This comes as the country faces significant transformations following the War of Dignity against the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia.
According to Sudan News Agency, Agar made these remarks while addressing a workshop on proposed amendments to the Press and Publications Act in Port Sudan. He assured the TSC’s full support for initiatives that enable media freedom and stressed backing any efforts that result in fair press legislation for all stakeholders.
Agar advocated for a collaborative approach among journalists, the government, and press institutions to serve the country’s best interests. He praised the Ministry of Culture and Information for its focus on national concerns and commended the support from the ministry’s staff and other workshop contributors, expressing optimism about positive outcomes for the media sector. The TSC Vice President highlighted the importance of creating conditions conducive to journalistic work, notably combating hate speech and regionalism, and engaging constructively with issues threatening national security.
Agar addressed several legislative issues, including conflicting oversight powers, publication freedom restrictions, electronic journalism regulation, and publication litigation. He urged addressing the lack of financial security and institutional independence for the media, which makes it susceptible to political pressures.
Additionally, Agar stressed the need to adhere to international professional standards, protect journalists, ensure the Press Council’s independence, and invest in training.