BBC Arabic radio suspended by Sudanese government

The Sudanese government has suspended BBC Arabic from broadcasting on FM radio in four of the country's cities.

BBC World Service was told by the government that BBC Arabic had been discontinued as of 9 August in Khartoum, Port Sudan, Wad Madani and Al-Ubayad.

According to a report from BBC News, the suspension was not related to the content of the broadcasts, but "to breaches of the accord governing BBC activities", including bringing satellite equipment through diplomatic channels and working without approval in Southern Sudan.

Discussions with the Sudanese government to reinstate and continue the FM broadcasts are ongoing, the World Service told Journalism.co.uk today. The BBC has a weekly audience of four million in Sudan.

"The BBC has a long history of broadcasting in Sudan and for more than ten years has maintained a presence on FM thanks to the support of the regulatory system in Sudan. We hope that we will be able to continue broadcasting at some point and we are very disappointed that the Sudanese people in northern Sudan are no longer able to access the impartial news and current affairs of BBC Arabic on FM radio," said Jerry Timmins, BBC Head of Africa, in a statement.

BBC Arabic is still in northern Sudan via bbcarabic.com, shortwave and satellite radio channels.

Responding to a separate incident, the Committee to Protect Journalists has also raised concerns over the treatment of press journalists by the Sudanese authorities. Local journalists told the organisation about a questionnaire sent out by security services asking for personal details, including addresses and bank account information, and reported threats when refusing to submit answers.

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