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May 01, 2026 – Sudan –
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate has been awarded the 2026 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, in recognition of its role in documenting attacks on journalists and sustaining independent reporting amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war, where media infrastructure has been severely damaged, and press workers face extreme risks.
UNESCO announced the award ahead of World Press Freedom Day, stating that the syndicate has played a critical role in condemning targeted violence against journalists and maintaining information flows during the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023.
According to UNESCO, the organization has documented at least 32 journalist deaths and more than 500 violations against media workers since the war began, alongside the shutdown of numerous newspapers and radio stations across the country.
The conditions in Sudan’s media environment have been described by the UN agency as among the most dangerous globally for journalists. Reports highlight widespread destruction of media infrastructure, the displacement of reporters, and repeated internet and telecommunications blackouts that severely restrict reporters’ ability to report.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany praised the syndicate’s members for what he called “extraordinary courage and unwavering dedication,” emphasizing their continued efforts to provide accurate, life-saving information despite insecurity and displacement.
The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate described the award as recognition not only of its work but also of all journalists in Sudan who continue to report under dangerous conditions. It framed the honor as an affirmation of independent journalism’s role in defending truth and accountability during wartime.
Press freedom organizations note that Sudan’s media landscape has effectively collapsed in many regions, with journalists facing arrests, threats, and violence while attempting to report on the conflict. Some areas have become information vacuums where independent verification is nearly impossible.
The UNESCO prize, established in 1997, recognizes individuals and organizations that make outstanding contributions to press freedom, particularly under conditions of risk. It is awarded annually on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, and is named after Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano, who was assassinated in 1986 for his reporting on organized crime.
The award places Sudan’s journalists at the center of global attention, highlighting both their resilience and the broader collapse of media safety in conflict zones, where reporting continues despite severe threats, censorship pressures, and systemic violence against journalists.
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