CPJ tasks Sudan on media coverage of demonstrations

New York, US (PANA) - Global press freedom campaigner Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged the Sudanese authorities to allow journalists to cover anti-government demonstrations in the country.

In a statement issued here, CPJ noted that over the past week, authorities have raided a media office and a journalist's home, arrested one journalist and interrogated another, deported a third journalist, and blocked at least three critical websites.

"Demonstrations are inherently newsworthy and journalists have a professional obligation to cover them," the statement quoted CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon as saying. "Sudanese authorities should allow them to do so without obstruction."

Anti-government demonstrations began in the Sudanese capital on 16 June at the University of Khartoum. Since then, protests have spread to other parts of the country and security forces have responded harshly, dispersing demonstrators with tear gas and rubber bullets, arresting and beating hundreds, and attacking journalists.
-0- PANA SEG 4July2012