The Sudan Journalists’ Union has warned of the dangers of portraying journalists as parties to the ongoing conflict in the country.
The union said such practices put journalists’ lives at risk and expose them to threats and retaliation, despite being far removed from any political or military alignment.
In a statement published on its Facebook page, the union said that “amid the exceptional circumstances facing the country, accompanied by sharp political polarization and a dangerous social divide, labeling and stigmatization have become tools used to fuel the conflict and settle scores. This poses a direct threat to the professional and personal safety of journalists.”
The union added that it was “following with deep regret and condemnation” reports labeling its colleagues, both men and women journalists in Gezira State, as members of the “Tasis” alliance, led by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), describing such labeling as categorically unacceptable.
It stressed its unequivocal rejection of any attempt to impose such classifications on journalists, saying they place them in the line of fire and remove them from the sphere of professional neutrality they are required to maintain.
The Sudan Journalists’ Union condemned and denounced these practices and classifications, expressing its pride in and appreciation for the significant professional and humanitarian role played by journalists in Gezira State throughout the war. It said they had remained committed to reporting the truth and covering citizens’ concerns despite harsh economic conditions and the absence of even basic protection measures.
The union revealed that the war has so far claimed the lives of 34 male and female journalists, underscoring once again that journalists are not parties to the war and that targeting or labeling them constitutes an assault on freedom of opinion and expression and a flagrant violation of international norms and conventions.
