Vice President of the Sovereign Council, Malik Aqar, emphasized the importance of developing legislation and laws to align with the current phase and keep pace with the major transformations the country is undergoing as a result of the “Dignity War” against the rebel Rapid Support Forces militia — particularly in the field of media legislation.
During his address at a workshop discussing proposed amendments to the Press and Publications Law in Port Sudan, Aqar announced the Sovereign Council’s full support for any measure that allows the media to operate freely. He affirmed his backing for any effort that leads to fair and balanced press legislation that serves all stakeholders.
Aqar called for a partnership between stakeholders — especially journalists, the government, and media institutions — to serve the supreme interests of the country.
He stated that the workshop reflects the Ministry of Culture and Information’s commitment to national concerns, praising the ministry’s personnel and all who contributed to organizing the workshop. He expressed hope that the workshop would yield positive outcomes that benefit the media landscape.
Aqar stressed the need to ensure essential conditions for journalistic and media work, most notably the fight against hate speech and regionalism, as well as adopting a constructive approach to issues threatening national security.
He also touched on several points that require legislative and legal reform, including overlapping authorities and roles among regulatory bodies, restrictions on publishing freedom, the regulation of electronic journalism, and litigation related to publishing. He called for addressing the lack of financial guarantees and institutional independence in the media, which leaves it vulnerable to political and negative influences.
Aqar highlighted the necessity of adhering to international professional standards, focusing on journalist protection, ensuring the independence of the Press Council, and prioritizing training.
