In January, Sudan plans to launch ten shortwave radio stations in Darfur, and ten in South Kordofan. The new radio stations will present programmes in local dialects, to counter broadcasts by Radio Dabanga, in an attempt to reduce its impact on the populations of those regions, especially in Darfur, Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman told Members of the national Parliament on Tuesday. As for South Kordofan, the radio stations will aim to reach the Nuba people living in the rebel-controlled areas, the minister noted. Sudanese MPs have criticised the performance of the official media before. They described it as "weak, and failing in the delivery of information". On Tuesday, 25 November, the daily broadcasts by Radio Dabanga from the Netherlands were discussed in the parliament. Some MPs stressed the need "to disrupt the activity of Radio Dabanga, or completely stop it", and demanded from the Information Minister of State to develop a plan to at least reduce its impact. Radio Dabanga broadcasts in shortwave to the whole of Sudan and neighbouring countries. Satellite broadcasts are confined to the larger cities. (See elsewhere on this site for audio feeds.)
