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National Radio
Sudan: The Land of Civilization and History
Establishment of the Radio
Sudanese Radio was established on April 1, 1940, during World War II. It was initially funded by the propaganda budget allocated by the Allies for their war efforts against the Axis powers. A small room within the Old Post Office buildings in Omdurman was chosen as its headquarters. Loudspeakers were distributed across several large squares in Omdurman to enable the greatest number of citizens to listen to the broadcasts, which were limited to 30 minutes daily.
After the war concluded, the Allies ceased the propaganda funding, and the station faced closure. However, Mr. Evans intervened and secured budget approval from the colonial authorities. Consequently, the radio’s budget fell under the Sudanese government for the first time, though its purpose then was to serve as a mouthpiece for colonialism and to counter the emerging national movements calling for liberation and self-determination. This status remained until the Cairo Agreement was signed on February 13, 1953, which eventually paved the way for Sudan’s independence.
Program Content
In its early days, the station broadcasted for half an hour daily (from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM). The content consisted of:
- Recitations from the Holy Quran.
- A dedicated war news bulletin.
- Sudanese songs. These were transmitted via loudspeakers to the public gathered in front of the Omdurman Post Office.
The First Announcer
In 1940, the first official announcer was appointed to oversee a program that did not exceed 50 minutes, broadcasted three times a week, with a 15-minute supplementary program on the remaining days. This pioneer was Mr. Obaid Abdel Nour. Prior to his appointment, the station relied on volunteers. During this period, "Huna Omdurman" (This is Omdurman) successfully captured public attention, leading to the distribution of radio sets in public spaces.
The Old Radio Era
In 1942, the station moved from the old post office to a rented house in Omdurman, west of the Midwives' School (Al-Dayat). It began broadcasting on the medium wave (524 meters), and the daily program expanded to a full hour. Subsequently, an English program and a program for the fighting forces were introduced—all designed to serve colonial interests. Notably, Dubait (traditional Sudanese folk poetry) was introduced during this stage to discuss the war. In 1943, shortwave transmission (31 meters) was added.
National Radio
The station progressed according to its available resources until March 1954, when the first national government took office. The radio then began operating solely in the interest of Sudan. It played a vital role in consolidating independence and standing firm against external pressures. The radio's stance was a primary factor in safeguarding Sudan’s right to freedom, pride, and dignity.
Technological Evolution
Recording on Discs
It is important to note that when the radio first began, there were no recordings; all materials were broadcast live directly through the microphone. In 1949, the disc recording system was introduced for the first time. Initially, it was used to record songs, followed by talks, radio plays, and various programs.
Recording on Tape
This system remained in place until the current radio studios were constructed in 1957, which marked the first use of magnetic tape recording.
Outside Broadcasts
The microphone left the studio for the first time in 1951. At that time, outside broadcasts were limited to major football matches from the Omdurman Sports House. By 1953, the radio began broadcasting national and political events to its listeners.
A turning point occurred in 1954 with the installation of a new transmitter that fundamentally changed the radio’s reach; it could then be heard across most parts of Sudan and abroad after the addition of new medium and short waves. On November 12, 1956, the microphone traveled outside the country for the first time to broadcast the United Nations session in which Sudan was declared an independent member state. Since then, the microphone has traveled all over Sudan and abroad to cover various events of national importance.
The First Live Concert
The first live evening concert broadcast from outside the capital took place in the city of Atbara in December 1958.
Staffing
The radio station began with only one employee. This number grew significantly over time, reaching 350 employees at present
Directed Radio Broadcasts
On July 10, 1969, the "Southern Corner" was transformed from a special segment—not exceeding 40 minutes and broadcast on General Program frequencies—into a fully independent radio station. It began broadcasting on separate frequencies for a duration of three hours. The first organized iteration of the Southern Corner, as a program directed at the southern directorates, dates back to 1955 following the ill-fated mutiny in Southern Sudan. Prior to that, some materials were broadcast in local southern dialects through the General Program.
The English Program
The English Program originated as an independent segment broadcast via the General Program in 1955. At that time, it ran for half an hour, featuring an English news bulletin alongside European music and songs. However, the broadcasting of English material actually dates back much further; since 1942, news and talks in English were aired during intervals of the General Arabic Program. With the establishment of directed broadcasting for the southern directorates on June 10, 1969, the English Program was merged into it. Consequently, English-language content began to be broadcast alongside local southern dialects and Arabic materials, including a daily news bulletin in English.
The French Program
In August 1965, a French Program was introduced, airing for half an hour twice a week. It provided news bulletins, French music, and songs. However, the program was suspended in mid-1966 due to weak transmission signals. Preparations are currently underway to relaunch this program and establish others in significant languages—most notably Swahili—as part of the expansion plan currently set for implementation.
Migrant Radio (Radio for Expatriates)
A dedicated radio station for expatriates was established on one medium-wave and three short-wave frequencies to connect Sudanese migrants abroad with their homeland.
Juba Radio
Inaugurated on December 15, 1962, this local station in Juba broadcasted on a 50-meter shortwave band. It was clearly audible across the three southern provinces, as well as in neighboring countries bordering the south.
The station originally broadcasted for three hours daily, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. On Sundays and Fridays, it provided an additional program from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Furthermore, evening sessions were broadcast on Saturdays and Thursdays for two hours, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Broadcasting hours were often extended during national occasions. However, the station ceased operations in February 1965 following a decision to centralize all radio work through the parent station in Omdurman.
The Holy Qur’an Station
The Holy Qur’an station was launched on October 15, 1970, as an independent station. Initially, it broadcasted for two hours daily, from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. On July 5, 1971, the transmission schedule was modified to run from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The station also provided an additional broadcast every Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
National Unity Radio
Following the announcement and full implementation of the Addis Ababa Agreement, which achieved national unity between the southern region and the rest of the country, the regional radio in Juba (the capital of the southern region) was established. This led to a re-evaluation of the programs directed from Omdurman to the South.
The directed programming was replaced by a new service designed to serve both the North and the South simultaneously. The most fitting name chosen for this service was "National Unity Radio." On October 11, 1976, during the Republic Day celebrations, the directed program for the South was officially stopped, and National Unity Radio began its transmission. Its broadcasting time was increased from three to six hours, and its content focused strictly on local Sudanese material, completely excluding non-Sudanese content.
Voice of the Sudanese Nation Radio
On Monday, February 11, 1977, during the monthly "Between the People and the Leader" program (the President's monthly address), a citizen wrote to the President suggesting that the name "National Unity Radio" be changed to "Voice of the Nation." The President accepted the suggestion and immediately directed, through the live program, that the name be changed to "Voice of the Sudanese Nation Radio." Since that date, February 11, 1977, the service has been known by this name.
Radio Broadcasts Directed to Somalia
In July 1967, an agreement was reached between Radio Omdurman and Radio Somalia. Under this agreement, Radio Omdurman would present a weekly half-hour program titled "From Omdurman to Mogadishu," while Radio Somalia would broadcast a similar program titled "From Mogadishu to Omdurman."
The Studios
As previously mentioned in this historical overview, the radio station moved to its current building in 1957, which at that time housed only four studios.
- Expansion & Setbacks Four new studios were constructed and inaugurated in February 1976. However, their equipment was destroyed by fire during the events of July 2, 1976.
- Restoration: Subsequently, four additional studios were built, and the fire-damaged studios were fully refurbished and re-equipped.
- Current Capacity All eight studios (the four new ones and the four restored ones) were inaugurated together on May 27, 1977. This brought the total number of studios at the station to 12.
Radio Broadcasting
Al-Arda Station
- Medium Wave: 524 meters
- Power: 5 kW
Al-Fitaihab Station:
- Short Waves: 25 – 60 meters
- Power: 20 kW each
Soba Station
- Inaugurated in November 1962.
- Medium Waves: 312 – 393 meters (Power: 100 kW each).
- Short Wave: 41 meters (Power: 120 kW).
Reiba Station:
- Inaugurated on January 17, 1978.
- Wave: 231 meters
- Power: 1,500 kW (1.5 MW)
Directors of the Radio Station
The following individuals have served as Directors of the Radio (Omdurman Radio):
- Finch Dawson
- Hussein Taha Zaki
- Metwally Eid
- Mr.Mahmoud El-Faki
- Mohamed Abdel Rahman El-Khanji
- Khater Abu Bakr
- Mr. Sagh El-Taj Hamad
- Metwally Eid (Second term)
- Abu Agla Youssef
- Mohamed Saleh Fahmy
- Taha Abdel Rahman
- Mohamed El-Obeid
- Ahmed Abdullah El-Omrabi
- Abdel Wahid Abdullah
- El-Tijani El-Tayeb
- Mohamed Khojali Salheen
- Mahmoud Abu El-Azaem
- Mohamed Suleiman Bashir
- Saleh Mohamed Saleh
- El-Khatim Abdullah
- Hadid El-Siraaj
- Salah El-Din El-Fadil
- Awad Jadin Mohieddin
- Mutasim Fadl Abdel Qader
Transitioning to the Era of Digital Technology
Previously, the prevailing technology was Analog, which relied on reel-to-reel tapes of varying sizes—some lasting an hour, others thirty, twenty, or fifteen minutes.
Despite being accustomed to this system for a long time, staff members faced constant challenges. Significant time was spent mounting tapes onto playback machines, searching for specific segments, and rewinding tapes to the beginning. However, the true struggle lay in the editing process (montage), which was labor-intensive and manual.
Digital technology was officially introduced to the station in 2000. This began with the acquisition of digital equipment in the form of a computer network from a French company called Netia. Specialists from the company visited the station to install the systems and train an initial core of employees. These staff members then trained their colleagues until most of the program production team became proficient in using this modern technology
The transition was a gradual process, where digital technology was introduced alongside analog systems until the significant differences and benefits became clear to the staff. Initially, there was considerable apprehension among employees regarding this new and unfamiliar technology; some even harbored concerns about the language barrier. However, long-term proactive preparation—which required employees to become computer literate—played a vital role in alleviating these fears for many.
Once the staff recognized the fundamental advantages of digital over analog, the station launched internal pilot broadcasts (within the radio station's courtyard) using loudspeakers in 2001. This allowed everyone to acclimate to the system before the service officially launched with its new technology.
Key Advantages of Digital Technology in Program Development
The vast differences between analog and digital technologies significantly boosted program development due to the following factors:
- Instant Access: Rapid retrieval of required materials from digital storage media.
- High Fidelity: Superior sound clarity and purity.
- Efficient Editing: Faster and easier processing and montage; digital technology allows users to visualize audio signals on a screen, making it simple to identify exactly where to cut, add, or edit.
- Durability: Digital media has a much longer lifespan compared to analog media.
- Network Integration: Systems are interconnected, allowing each person a specific task, which saves both time and effort.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Linking digital devices simplifies communication and information gathering, whether via telephone or other means.
- Instant Reporting: Correspondents can record voice messages via phone, which appear immediately for users within the station.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Significant reduction in operational costs.
- Space Efficiency: Digital media requires minimal physical space. (The station is currently working to acquire specialized cabinets for the audio library that occupy a fraction of the space previously required for analog archives).
- Direct Information Access: Direct links to news and information sources provide staff with a massive database to aid in preparation and production.
The Transition to Networking
As a result of these advancements, the station entered what is known as the "Networking Phase" across all areas of radio work:
The News Network:
This involves converting manual news operations into a computerized workflow via a software program that links all departments within the News Administration into a unified network.
The development of the News Editing Software at Sudan Radio began three years ago as a simple concept. Over time, the idea evolved, drawing inspiration from a global news editing program produced by a British company. During the design phase, the developers identified and addressed the shortcomings found in the British software, Marlin Reporter, tailoring the new system to meet the specific requirements of the Sudan Radio News Department.
The initial version was designed using MS Access by Engineer Hassan Mustafa Hassan (Sudan Radio). After news teams were trained on the system, the actual implementation began on January 8, 2002, starting with the 12:00 PM news bulletin voiced by newsreader Osama Mukhtar. This phase continued until March 2003, marking the beginning of the second development stage.
The Evolution to OraNews
In this subsequent phase, the program underwent a major upgrade:
- Database Migration: The system transitioned from MS Access to Oracle.
- Rebranding: The name was changed from "Khabar-Net" to OraNews.
- Developer: The upgrade was handled by OraNet, which built upon the previous foundation while adding new features and modern requirements.
Impact and Key Achievements
This system stands as the first electronic news editing program at Sudan Radio, representing a significant milestone for the institution. The transition to this software has yielded several benefits:
- Paperless Environment: The News Department became a paperless operation, maintaining only a single printed copy of the bulletin as a backup.
- Efficiency: It significantly reduced the time and effort required for news production.
- Skill Development: The program helped enhance the mental and technical capabilities of the staff, encouraging them to stay updated through the internet and other sources that were previously inaccessible.
- Sustainability: The software has an indefinite lifespan, provided that periodic archiving is maintained. Furthermore, the database is flexible enough to be integrated with other software programs.
News Production Stages
The news production process consists of several key stages:
1. Capture Stage
This is the initial phase of producing news content. Information is gathered from multiple sources, including:
- The Internet
- SUNA (Sudanese News Agency)
- Satellite Channels
- Fax
- Field Coverage
Once captured, the material is edited according to the requirements of the story and necessary technical processing.
Note: For material sourced from satellite channels, audio is recorded first and then transcribed into text for editing.
2. Verification and Auditing Stage
The editor sends the drafted stories to the Head of Department for review and verification. During this stage:
- Stories may be translated into different languages for other radio services.
- The Head of Department has the authority to return stories to the editor if there are issues with phrasing or clarity, accompanied by specific notes for revision.
3. Bulletin Construction Stage
In this phase, the components of a specific radio bulletin are prepared. Each approved news item is scheduled for broadcast based on an authorized list. Key activities include:
- Prioritization: Arranging news items according to their importance and the department’s established regulations.
- Scheduling: Freezing or delaying certain stories for future bulletins based on current requirements.
4. Broadcasting Stage
This is the final stage where the complete news bulletin is delivered to the newsreader inside the studio via a specialized screen.
- Technical Standards: The screens are designed to specific engineering specifications for broadcasting.
- Newsreader Role: Stories appear pre-arranged and ready for reading. The newsreader does not intervene in the order or editing of the content.
- Reporting: The newsreader must mark the stories read during the session for monthly statistical reporting purposes.
- Breaking News: Urgent or "breaking" news can be sent directly to the newsreader’s screen if necessary, subject to approval from the Head of Department.
Reports
The system generates monthly statistical reports for each workgroup. These reports track the performance of:
- Capturers, Editors, Heads of Departments, and Newsreaders.
- All participants involved in the news production chain.
These reports form the basis for financial entitlements and encourage healthy competition to improve both the quantity and quality of news production. Additionally, the system generates statistical reports classifying news materials by category.
Archiving
Archiving takes place daily at the end of the workday. All news produced during the day is moved to the archive file for future use.
- Searchability: The program allows users to retrieve news from years ago using broad and flexible search criteria.
- Efficiency: This process preserves the effort invested in news production and allows the material to be reused for documentary-style radio programs.
The Audio Network
The audio network is the practical embodiment of the radio workflow, covering feeding, recording, editing (montage), coordination, and broadcasting. It consists of several computer programs specifically designed for radio work by the French company Netia.
The specific programs and stages are as follows:
1- Radio-Assist Software
This is the input and ingestion stage for radio content, whether through direct recording or importing from external media like CDs and other formats. During this phase:
- Content undergoes electronic processing and editing (montage).
- Materials are finalized with an "Electronic Seal," certifying them as ready for broadcast.
- The system ensures accountability; every user logs in with a unique username and password, and all produced materials are tagged with the creator's identity.
2- Feder-All Software
Following the ingestion phase, this system displays all approved materials. Its primary functions include:
- Grid Design: Designing program schedules for varying durations (up to an entire year).
- Daily Scheduling: Extracting daily lineups from the master grid.
- Content Integration: Populating the daily schedule with ready-to-air audio files and their associated metadata.
3- Air Ddo Software
This is the on-air broadcast stage. The system displays the full daily schedule with ready-to-play audio files. It also allows for:
- Retrieving additional materials from the library on the fly.
- Preparing backup content for emergencies or last-minute programming changes.
4- Music All Software
Dedicated to music scheduling and distribution, this system categorizes music based on standard criteria such as genre, rhythm, and era. Key benefits include:
- Variety Control: Preventing repetitive tracks.
- Statistical Analysis: Generating reports on previously aired content and broadcast ratios.
- Future Planning: Assisting the station in mapping out upcoming musical trends and selections.
System Integration & Infrastructure
- Connectivity: All programs are linked via a computer network, ensuring information is accessible to all authorized users.
- Advanced Search: Accessing radio archives is now instantaneous thanks to specialized search filters (title, performer, author, etc.).
- User-Friendly Editing: The editing software features a highly intuitive visual and auditory interface, allowing for the rapid production of complex programs and processed news reports.
- The Server (Audio Bank): All systems are connected to a central Server that acts as a digital "Audio Bank."
- It stores and modifies audio materials with a current capacity of approximately 10,000 hours, which is expandable.
- The system includes a redundant, mirrored server for backup.
- This setup serves as the primary core for the Electronic Audio Library.
International Connectivity (Vsat)
The station utilizes Vsat technology to connect with other Arab radio stations under the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) agreement. This technology has significantly enhanced:
- Radio exchange programs between Arab nations.
Live audio transmission of artistic and sporting events with zero additional costs
