Sudan’s Print Media Industry Collapses as War Halts All Paper Newspapers

Sudan’s Print Media Industry Collapses as War Halts All Paper Newspapers
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Sudan’s ongoing civil war has brought the country’s print media industry to a historic standstill, with all paper newspapers suspended for the first time in more than 120 years and thousands of media workers losing their jobs.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has severely damaged infrastructure across the country, including printing facilities and media institutions. According to reports, around 90% of workers in the printing and newspaper sector — more than 3,000 journalists and printing employees — have been affected by widespread closures.

Sudan’s print media had already been declining in previous years, with the number of active newspapers falling from 49 to 12 before the war. However, the destruction of printing equipment, rising costs, and security challenges forced the remaining publications to stop production entirely.

Attempts to shift toward digital platforms have also faced major obstacles due to frequent internet outages and disruptions to communication networks, limiting public access to reliable information.

Media experts and journalists have warned that reviving traditional print newspapers will be increasingly difficult due to high production costs, reduced advertising revenues, and changing audience habits. They have called for new strategies, including media reforms and hybrid print-digital models focused on investigative and analytical journalism, to help Sudan’s media sector survive in the future.