Policy Paper: The Dual Role of Media and Social Media in Democratic Transition: Driving Force or Obstacle?

This paper explores the dual role of media and social media in shaping Sudan’s democratic transition following the December 2018 Revolution, by addressing the central question: *How did traditional and digital media influence public opinion toward the Framework Agreement (December 2022 – March 2023), and did they serve as drivers or obstacles to the democratic transition?* The study employs a systematic content analysis of five Sudanese newspapers and a qualitative examination of a sample of influential social media pages. Additionally, it integrates data from an online survey and an in-depth interview with a digital influencer, allowing for both quantitative and qualitative insights into the nature and orientation of media discourse. Findings reveal that media and social media in Sudan have played a contradictory role. While they have expanded the public sphere and mobilized citizens politically, they have simultaneously deepened polarization and eroded public trust in the political process due to misinformation, weak organization, and lack of editorial neutrality. The paper concludes that media reform is a fundamental prerequisite for any successful democratic transition in Sudan. Achieving this requires balancing freedom of expression with social responsibility and enhancing political awareness.