Sudan News Agency (SUNA), founded in 1971, serves as the official state news agency of Sudan, delivering news content in Arabic, English, and French. As the government’s primary information outlet, it plays a central role in shaping and broadcasting official narratives both domestically and abroad.
Media assets
News agency: SUNA
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
SUNA operates directly under the authority of the Ministry of Information, which exercises full control over its leadership appointments, strategic direction, and editorial policies. Decisions concerning management are made unilaterally by the Ministry, leaving no space for institutional autonomy or editorial independence.
Reports confirm that SUNA’s Khartoum headquarters was among dozens of media institutions ransacked or destroyed in the ongoing civil war, forcing the agency to relocate and operate with minimal equipment .
Source of funding and budget
According to African media experts consulted in March 2024, SUNA is entirely financed through state subsidies provided by the central government. The agency does not publish financial reports or disclose its expenditures, and there is no transparency regarding how public funds are allocated or spent.
Editorial independence
SUNA functions as a government mouthpiece, with its editorial content fully aligned with state policies and interests. Its reporting consistently promotes the official line while systematically excluding dissenting voices, critical analysis, or opposition viewpoints.
There is no domestic legislation guaranteeing editorial independence, nor is there any independent regulatory body tasked with assessing SUNA’s performance or ensuring accountability. In the absence of such safeguards, SUNA operates as a tool of state propaganda, rather than an impartial news service.
June 2025