Short-lived media liberalisation and social reforms followed the removal in 2019 of long-serving authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir.

But a coup in October 2021 entrenched military rule and led to a reversal in civic and media freedoms.

Historically, restrictive legislation has limited access to information and the operation of independent media.

Newspapers continue to publish critical commentary but the quality of production has fallen due to financial pressures and competition from social media.

Internet and social media restrictions have failed to stem anti-junta movements who use online tools to mobilise regular popular protests.

State media have progressively reverted to largely ignoring opposition activities and generally toeing the military authorities' line.

There has also been a major crackdown on journalists, local and international media organisations, and punitive laws have been enacted to silence critics of the junta.

The information ministry runs state TV and radio. Satellite TV is widely watched and pan-Arab stations are popular.

Radio is very popular. The state runs the main networks and there is a handful of private FM radios - most of them focusing on entertainment or Islam.

Netherlands-based Radio Dabanga aims to reach listeners in Darfur via shortwave. Radio Tamazuj, also operating from the Netherlands, targets audiences on the Sudan-South Sudan border.

There were 13.1 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 29% of the population (Internetworldstats.com).

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