Two Years of War: Images That Tell the Tragedy of Sudanese Media and the Silence of Its Studios
Khartoum, May 10, 2025 - (Radio Dabanga) — Two years into the searing war that has engulfed Sudan, the outlines of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe grow more vivid. The tragedy goes far beyond the stories of the victims and the displaced millions caught in the whirlwind of conflict. In the national capital, Khartoum, another face of the catastrophe emerges — the total destruction of all Sudanese media institutions and newspapers that once pulsed with truth, served as platforms for knowledge, and fostered the values of coexistence and democracy.
Except for the state radio and television headquarters — seized by the Rapid Support Forces due to its symbolic sovereign value — these media institutions have been reduced to mere silent ruins, standing as grim witnesses to the scale of devastation that has silenced even the voice of the word.
This tragic scene underscores that not even the guardians and conveyors of truth were spared from the flames of war, adding another painful chapter to Sudan’s mounting toll. In this report, we present examples of the destruction these institutions endured — now visible after the army regained control of Khartoum, making access to these sites possible.
Hala Radio… A Silence Cloaks the Airwaves
Yasser Abu Shamaala, director of "Hala Radio" — once the vibrant voice of Sudanese youth and one of the most popular radio platforms — held his breath as he viewed, for the first time, images and videos of the once-proud station in central Khartoum. "The loss is profound and heartbreaking," he said, his voice choked with sorrow.
Describing the scale of the catastrophe, Abu Shamaala added: “It wasn’t just a building destroyed — it was a systematic annihilation of all our broadcast and production studios. These were outfitted with cutting-edge digital technology: advanced audio mixers, massive servers, invaluable sound libraries, an archive of programs chronicling our history, microphones, cables, and even the main transmitter that carried our voices across the airwaves to ground stations.”
He confirmed that all of this precious equipment was “consumed by the fire of war and looters’ hands,” with nothing spared — including advanced podcasting systems, computer networks, and countless other devices. The initial material loss for Hala Radio is estimated at over 350,000.
Article Media Center… A Dream Reduced to Rubble
The wreckage extended beyond Hala to reach the Article Media Center — once a beacon of promise and a major production hub in Sudan. Its director, Othman Fadlallah, voiced his devastation in barely audible tones: “I wish I hadn’t seen those brutal images... The destruction of the center made me feel like fifty years of my life were crushed, and that twenty-five years of my career had turned to rubble.”
Othman spoke of Article as though mourning a lost loved one: “The center wasn’t just walls and equipment valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. It was a life story — a dream I carried throughout my career, poured into with my knowledge, effort, experience, and dedication.”
“Every piece of furniture, every device was a part of my identity and memory,” he continued. “Our ambition was vast. We wanted Article to become a true beacon of light in the Sudanese media landscape.”
Founded in 2022, shortly after the glorious December Revolution, Article was envisioned as more than a production center — it was to become a school of journalism. “We organized several specialized training courses in peace journalism, countering hate speech, and strengthening social cohesion. The center served as a platform to document the revolution’s events and hosted constructive dialogues among journalists.”
Technically, Article was a fully-equipped facility for television production, featuring two top-tier integrated studios, five diverse audio units, eight modern lighting units, and eight professional cameras — including three Canon 5Ds. It also housed three advanced Mac computers with editing and archiving systems, a modern printing unit, a conference hall that hosted numerous significant events, and two training rooms with state-of-the-art equipment.
“We aspired to turn it into an academy producing generations of professional journalists,” said Fadlallah with deep regret, followed by a long sigh. “But all that ambition has now turned to rubble.”
Total Destruction… Yet a Glimmer of Hope Remains
Nothing was spared from the machinery of destruction — equipment, furniture, broadcast networks, even the center’s management vehicle were either stolen or completely destroyed. Despite the magnitude of the loss, Fadlallah, his voice tinged with pain and determination, said: “I don’t want to sound defeated or hopeless — that’s not in our nature — but rebuilding the center to the same specifications and standards seems almost impossible under current conditions.”
Still, he concluded with a flicker of hope: “We will do everything we can to breathe life back into Article… for hope, against all odds, still finds a place in our hearts.”
