Khartoum: A paper on the electronic press industry, its challenges, and its impact on the press sector and society, was presented by Dr. Osman Abu Zeid, the Former Head of the National Council for Press and Publications, at a workshop discussing proposals to amend the Press and Publications Act, 2009. The workshop was organized by the National Council for Press and Publications in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information. The paper recommended redefining journalism in the law to encompass print and electronic journalism, as well as news websites, including aggregators, while excluding personal social media accounts.
According to Sudan News Agency, the paper also suggested the establishment of a unified council named the National Council for Press and Information, expanding the existing National Council for Press and Publications. The proposed Act would ensure the council’s independence and define its administrative and financial authority. It would also address the dangers of hate speech, activate the social charter against such speech, and encourage the Ministry of Culture and Information to adopt and disseminate it.
The paper emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity, urging the allocation of plans and budgets to develop electronic journalism that aligns with technological advancements and supports Sudan’s reconstruction efforts post-war. Dr. Osman Abu Zeid highlighted the challenges facing electronic journalism, notably understanding the digital transformation and the problem of media identity due to the evolving information society and digital changes.
The paper noted that the journalism environment in cyberspace is turbulent due to the increasing number of job titles, the absence of sustainable funding models, and the lack of institutional structures. It also highlighted the issue of qualification and training, as entry into the field is open to anyone interested.
The challenges of achieving competitiveness through digital innovation and creativity were discussed, with an emphasis on the culture of creativity, or “digital innovation,” as a primary challenge for the journalism sector. The paper explained that this includes systems, management methods, and outputs that enable competitive journalistic products, policies, regulations, and decision-making methods.
The legislative gap in the media environment, due to continuous changes and new forms of electronic media, was identified as another challenge. The paper also addressed the issue of misinformation and fake news, attributing its spread to ease of dissemination, lack of professional norms adherence, and absence of strict oversight.
Al-Fatih Al-Sayid, who initiated the discussion on the second paper, pointed out additional challenges not covered, such as highlighting societal strength and cultural diversity, and crisis management at media institutions. He emphasized the importance of drafting a stable act that reflects the current transitional period.
Workshop participants stressed the importance of enhancing journalists’ training to improve competitiveness and strengthen their capabilities against hostile media, through content development, capacity building, and technology acquisition.