Journalism is the oxygen of democracy: How Sudan’s information crisis reflects a global reality

Sudan's ongoing civil war has severely damaged the country's once vibrant journalism sector, with warring factions (the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces) deliberately destroying media infrastructure and spreading disinformation. The conflict has created an information vacuum where propaganda flourishes, forcing over 1,000 journalists to flee or lose their jobs while those remaining face surveillance, harassment, and pressure to align with armed groups. Access to reliable information is increasingly unequal, with marginalized groups particularly affected, while audiences turn to alternative sources including social media, international outlets, and grassroots networks for survival information.