Source: UN News: Wednesday, 06 May 2026 00:02 AM
An independent organization of journalists in Sudan has been announced as this year’s recipient of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Press Freedom Award. UNESCO has said that this organization has been selected for its important role in providing accurate, life-saving information in the country struggling with civil war and in opposing the deliberate targeting of the media. UN agency Unesco/Guillermo Cano The award was announced just before ‘World Press Freedom Day’, which is celebrated every year on 3 May. The award is given annually to an individual, organization or institution for outstanding contributions to press freedom, particularly in dangerous circumstances. In April 2023, fighting broke out between Sudan’s armed forces and its past ally, the RSF, which is still ongoing and has caused a massive humanitarian and displacement crisis in the country. Since then, ‘Sudanese Journalists The Syndicate has collected information on the deaths of 32 journalists, 556 cases of violations of the rights of media workers and the closure of a large number of newspapers and radio stations. UNESCO notes that Sudan is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists to work. Khaled al-Ainani, Director-General of the UN agency, praised the extraordinary courage and unwavering determination of the members of the syndicate. “Despite enormous challenges, they continue their work every day, bringing accurate, life-saving information to their communities, at a very critical time.” “This determination is a powerful example for all of us and an important service to truth, accountability and peace.” The leader of this group of journalists, ready to defend the values, Abdelmonem Abouidris Ali said that this award is not only a recognition for the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, but a tribute to all Sudanese journalists who continue their efforts to defend the truth and press freedom in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. He said that independent journalism plays a vital role in protecting democratic values and amplifying the voices of ordinary citizens affected by war. Performs. UN Photo/Evan Schneider The role of impartial and independent media is very important in democracy. The civil war in Sudan has disrupted news gathering and worsened the media landscape in the country. Journalists face threats of violence and arrest, and more than 90 percent of media infrastructure has been destroyed. Reporting has been made more difficult by Internet outages and disruptions in telecommunications services. According to UNESCO, these circumstances have forced the country to turn into a silent region, where vast areas of the population now struggle with an information vacuum. In this environment, propaganda and misinformation are spreading widely, fueling hatred and increasing polarization. Support for Sudanese journalists The UN agency has repeatedly expressed solidarity in support of journalists in Sudan since the beginning of the war. As part of these activities, the Sudanese Media Forum has been established, with more than 20 media groups as members. This organization is active in advocating press freedom and maintaining international attention on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Apart from this, a survey was also conducted to understand the needs of journalists, through which two safe havens have been created in the coastal city of Port Sudan. Direct support has been provided to 49 journalists, including helping to evacuate them from within the country to other safe areas or arranging for their transportation to other countries. The award was established in 1997 in honor of Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the office of his newspaper (El Espectador) in the capital Bogotá on 17 December 1986. Media An international jury composed of professionals selects the winners. Earlier, Palestinian journalists covering Gaza, Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov have been honored with this award.