Sudanese Newspapers and “Fourth Estate” Role: Impacts of Censorship on Anti-Corruption Campaign

Logically censorship or self-censorship is always detrimental to any media whose ambition it is to be free and independent. self-censorship though exists in law, but when it is practiced it undermines the freedom of the press as the “fourth estate”. The first role of a watch-dog or “fourth estate” is severely restrained by self-censorship, lack of resources and political parties intervening in journalists’ work. It is further undermined by the economic dependence on business and political parties. Though Sudan has many local and national newspapers, still not enough attention has been paid to issues of censorship impact on corruption. In view of this, this study examines how censorship affects Sudanese newspapers’ practice fourth estate role especially in the fight against corruption. To achieve this, the study adequately probes into how ownership pattern affects Sudanese newspaper to perform their watchdog role in Sudan.  Based on the analysis therefore, it was discovered that censor hip which is the outcome of ownership influence affects Sudanese press negatively in the “fourth estate” role more importantly restrained its fight against corruption. Therefore, for Sudanese newspaper to contribute usefully to fight corruption and promote good governance efforts should be intensified to free Sudan media from the control of politicians and government. Keywords: Censorship, Ownership, Fourth Estate, Newspaper, Corruption, Sudanes

The Roles of Newspapers Ownership Pattern and Access to Governmental Information in Framing of Issues of Corruption in Sudan

Corruption is a global threat to state efficiency which is common to both developed and developing countries alike. However corruption is more evident in developing countries such as; Sudan and its ravaging effects are particularly apparent in Sudan. However, the media contributes largely to the success of democracy in toda

How restrictive laws affect the framing of the issues of corruption in Sudan

This study aims at identifying how the restrictive laws affect the Sudanese newspapers’ framing of the issues of corruption in Sudan. Therefore, the present study adopted a qualitative research method using in-depth interviews to adequately probe the perceptions of the Sudanese journalists and editors and explore how the restrictive laws affect the Sudanese newspapers’ in framing the issues of corruption in Sudan. A purposeful sampling was adopted in selecting 20 Sudanese journalists across both governmental and private newspapers operating in Sudan. In order to achieve clearer understandings of the journalists’ perspectives, the study adequately supported each theme with models generated by means of employing NVivo 8 software. The findings revealed that the Legislation is one of the key elements of the development of press industry by the Sudanese government through parliament to ensure press freedom. In addition, the Sudanese journalists indicate that the corporate ownership as well as market contexts are significant in determining the quality of information presented in the newspapers’ political news coverage. Hence, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the newspaper ownership and the diversity of contents in newspapers. Consequently, there are negative effects of restrictive laws on the development of the Sudanese press industry in Sudan. Hence, the study calls for more attention towards the legislation's in Sudan to insure the press freedom and the good work environment for journalists to carry out their role in raising the Sudanese citizens’ awareness

How restrictive laws affect the framing of the issues of corruption in Sudan

This study aims at identifying how the restrictive laws affect the Sudanese newspapers’ framing of the issues of corruption in Sudan. Therefore, the present study adopted a qualitative research method using in-depth interviews to adequately probe the perceptions of the Sudanese journalists and editors and explore how the restrictive laws affect the Sudanese newspapers’ in framing the issues of corruption in Sudan. A purposeful sampling was adopted in selecting 20 Sudanese journalists across both governmental and private newspapers operating in Sudan. In order to achieve clearer understandings of the journalists’ perspectives, the study adequately supported each theme with models generated by means of employing NVivo 8 software. The findings revealed that the Legislation is one of the key elements of the development of press industry by the Sudanese government through parliament to ensure press freedom. In addition, the Sudanese journalists indicate that the corporate ownership as well as market contexts are significant in determining the quality of information presented in the newspapers’ political news coverage. Hence, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the newspaper ownership and the diversity of contents in newspapers. Consequently, there are negative effects of restrictive laws on the development of the Sudanese press industry in Sudan. Hence, the study calls for more attention towards the legislation's in Sudan to insure the press freedom and the good work environment for journalists to carry out their role in raising the Sudanese citizens’ awareness