Sawa marks 20 years with the launch of Sawa Sudan
Springfield, VA — Sawa radio celebrates 20 years on the air and commences on a new chapter with the launch of Sawa Sudan. The Arabic-language news and information network begins its broadcasts to Sudan today, March 22nd, with programs dedicated to Sudanese people and the challenges they are facing. Sawa will broadcast 20-hours per day, while four hours will be dedicated to VOA’s English-language programs targeting Sudan.
“Sudan is at a critical stage and it is imperative that the Sudanese people have access to objective and accurate news about their country, the region and the U.S. Sawa Sudan provides listeners with that information through tailored programming and country-specific shows,” stated Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) Acting President Hassan Shwiki. MBN manages and oversees Sawa radio. “We are also excited to share the transmission with VOA allowing us to reach audiences in Arabic and English.”
The new Sudan-specific programs include a daily program that encourages listeners to share their opinions on the events that are impacting their lives. Sawa Sudan hosts programs addressing the issues facing Sudanese youth and women’s issues, as well as a weekly program with Sudanese decision-makers discussing political, economic, security and social issues facing the country. The radio network also includes a daily roundup of the most important news from Sudan and the region. Other programming on Sawa Sudan will include Alhurra’s news and programs including its Sudan-specific discussion program Between Two Niles. The network will broadcast on 97.5 FM in Khartoum.
Sawa launched on March 22, 2002, with an innovative format of a mix of pan-Arab news with music. Its first broadcasts were to Jordan and Kuwait, before expanding its content across the Middle East and North Africa broadcasting on MW and FM. In early 2021, Sawa revamped and evolved into an all-news and information format focusing on Iraq and the Levant region with broadcasts reaching Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian Territories. Sudan will be the third Sawa stream with the all-news format.
About MBN
MBN is non-profit corporate media outlet financed by the U.S. government through a grant from U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent federal agency. The USAGM serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the broadcasters.
Find out more
Contact Deirdre Kline
Chief Operating Officer, Middle East Broadcasting Networks
- dkline@mbn-news.com
- (703) 852-9250