Sudan Temporarily Shuts Down Television Stations

Sudan has shut down three Pan-Arab TV stations, accusing them of “unprofessional reporting and harmful publishing”

Sky News Arabia, owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Al Arabiya and Saudi-owned Al Hadath, which have been affected by the order, have reported extensively on the civil war and political unrest in Sudan.

The suspension was prompted by the broadcasters “not committing to the professionalism and transparency required” and their failure to renew their licenses, Information Minister Graham Abdel Gader was quoted as saying.

The suspension of UAE-funded Sky News Arabia was also due to “bad publication”, according to the local media.

Al Hadath and Al Arabiya said they were not formally notified of the suspension and have often renewed their licenses.

The suspension came just days after Sudan’s foreign ministry accused Sky News Arabia of broadcasting militant fakes.