Winning journalists help to improve media standards in Sudan

Three Sudanese women took the honours in an annual competition for journalists who have been trained by the Sudan Media Capacity Building Project.

Sarah Alimam, from the University of Khartoum radio service, gained access to a child detention centre and reported on an education scheme designed to rehabilitate the young people there. 

Rania Abbas, from Al-Intibahanewspaper, investigated poor hygiene practices in Khartoum restaurants and witnessed chefs using out of date ingredients.

Rania Haroun (pictured above), from Al-Shorooq TV, uncovered the exploitation of children working in the Libya souk, who were being hired trolleys at a sky high rate by middle men. After the story aired, the Authorities agreed to deal directly with the children and to make sure they also got the chance of going to school.

We believe the project is underpinning a strong, well-educated and informed media which can play a crucial part in building the Sudan of the future.

The awards were presented by the British Ambassador Michael Aron, who described the four-year project as one of the most important the Embassy had funded and said that the journalists who had been trained – known as scholars – had improved media standards in Sudan.

The competition was sponsored by Zain telecommunications and their deputy Executive Officer Ibrahim Ahmed Hassan spoke about the importance of journalists promoting good governance. The winners received laptops and smartphones. 

Sudan Media Capacity Building 

The project is delivered by the Thomson Foundation in partnership with the British Council and funded by the British Embassy, which has spent over £1million on the training. Over 700 media professionals have benefited from the scheme over the last four years.