Why Sudan needs to be in the media spotlight

As we approach April 15, the three-year anniversary of the Sudanese civil war, there is a desire among journalists to tell more stories about Sudan. Yet reporting on the conflict remains profoundly difficult. A recent meeting of politicians, NGOs and journalists, convened by IBT, explored those challenges and highlighted ways we can keep a spotlight on Sudan despite them. 

We are approaching three years of brutal war. More than 1,000 days of fighting have triggered what the UN describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Over 30 million people – two thirds of the population – are in need of humanitarian assistance. Almost 25 million people face acute hunger, with more than 600,000 on the brink of famine. Sudan is now experiencing the largest displacement crisis in the world: around 13 million people, nearly a third of the population, have been forced from their homes. 

And yet, Sudan remains largely absent from the news agenda. While Gaza and Ukraine continue to dominate headlines and evening news bulletins, millions of Sudanese people are suffering with little attention from the UK public.

Last week, IBT convened a roundtable of journalists, politicians and NGO representatives, some speaking virtually from Sudan, to discuss why the conflict remains so underreported and what we can do in response. Baroness Jennifer Chapman, Minister for Development, and Anneliese Dodds MP, Chair of the Sudan and South Sudan APPG, attended alongside the Chief Executives of Action Against Hunger, Save the Children and Islamic Relief. A number of UK news organisations were represented including the BBC, ITV News, Channel 4 News, The Mirror, The Guardian and The Economist.

The discussion, chaired by Rose Caldwell, CEO of Plan International UK and chair of IBT, covered several broad themes. Reporting on Sudan is undeniably difficult, but some of those barriers can be overcome.

Why reporting from Sudan is so difficult

The obstacles to reporting on Sudan are, first and foremost, practical.

Security and logistics make travel extremely challenging. Visas are notoriously difficult to obtain, limiting access for foreign journalists and aid workers alike. Communication blackouts (including international internet and telephone shutdowns) are frequently imposed, restricting the flow of information.

On top of this is the very real risk to personal safety.

Good journalism relies on local knowledge and first-hand testimony, yet many people inside Sudan are understandably fearful of speaking out. Journalists have acknowledged that the complexity of the conflict has made it harder to “sell” stories to editors, particularly when compared with Ukraine or Gaza. Sudan’s war is less familiar, less understood, and, too often, assumed to generate less audience interest. In the absence of strong visual material – photographs and video – it can be hard for audiences to connect emotionally with a story. 

Despite the challenges, reporting is still possible

The meeting made clear that these challenges are not insurmountable.

While obtaining visas is difficult, it is not impossible. Many international NGOs continue to operate inside Sudan, despite immense constraints, and some are still able to facilitate journalist visits. Trips are happening, and NGOs are keen to bring journalists with them.

But crucially, foreign journalists do not always need to be inside Sudan to report on the conflict.

The scale of displacement means there is now a vast Sudanese diaspora, particularly in neighbouring countries such as Egypt, South Sudan and Chad. People who have fled can give powerful testimony, highlight the human cost of the war, and often help journalists connect with family members or contacts still inside the country.

NGOs can also support reporting by sharing video material and facilitating access to trusted local sources. There are, of course, serious considerations around safety, consent and anonymity. But physical presence inside Sudan is not the only way to report on atrocities and the humanitarian crisis.

We need to reframe how Sudan is covered

There was a strong appetite in the room not just for more coverage of Sudan, but for better coverage.

Sudanese speakers joining the discussion online were keen to remind journalists that local NGOs, mutual aid groups, and volunteers are still operating across the country. They cautioned against narratives that portray Sudanese people solely as passive victims.

Instead, many emphasised resilience: communities organising, sharing resources and supporting one another in the face of extraordinary violence and deprivation. They want coverage that recognises dignity, agency and humanity – not just suffering.

Journalism can, and should, reflect this reality.

The stories coming out of Sudan are powerful

Despite the barriers, some reporting from and about Sudan has had real impact.

Last week, ITV News Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks accompanied the Foreign Secretary on a visit to Chad and the Sudanese border, reporting on the plight of women and girls affected by the conflict.

Last year, BBC Verify produced a series of striking investigations into massacres in El Fasher, relying largely on open-source material. There is far less video emerging from Sudan than from conflicts such as Gaza, but despite these limitations, the reports reached millions across social media platforms.

They demonstrate what is possible.

Media coverage matters

Media coverage is not about getting NGO logos on television.

As everyone in the room agreed, sustained reporting is essential to maintaining political pressure: for humanitarian funding, diplomatic engagement and ultimately a ceasefire. The Minister noted that reporting on El Fasher late last year directly influenced the diplomatic effort.

The conclusion was clear: media attention matters.

As Sudan approaches its fourth year of war, NGOs and journalists must continue working together, finding practical ways to support one another and keep international attention focused on the crisis.