Published: 7th March 2008
BAHRAIN has opened the door to Press freedom, but needs to do much more, says an international watchdog.
It must decriminalise Press offences, end the government monopoly on broadcasting and push forward reforms, says Paris-based Reporters Without Borders.
Journalists in Bahrain have more freedom than in many other Gulf countries, but the situation is far from satisfactory, the organisation says in a report released yesterday, following a visit to the country last month.
Published: 7th March 2008
BAHRAIN has opened the door to Press freedom, but needs to do much more, says an international watchdog.
It must decriminalise Press offences, end the government monopoly on broadcasting and push forward reforms, says Paris-based Reporters Without Borders.
Journalists in Bahrain have more freedom than in many other Gulf countries, but the situation is far from satisfactory, the organisation says in a report released yesterday, following a visit to the country last month.
It says authorities have so far failed to implement the legislative reforms they have been promising for several years.
The fact-finding visit marked the ninth anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad’s installation as head of state.
The team met government officials, politicians, journalists and civil society representatives.
“The Press freedom situation in the country is far from satisfactory,” the report says.
“No journalist has been imprisoned since March 1999, but the Press still has many problems. Restrictive laws and veiled pressure from officials too often force journalists to censor themselves.”
It says government officials seem sincere in their desire to help the kingdom’s media to evolve, but the long-awaited reforms have still not materialised.
“These include the reform of the Press and Publications Act, otherwise known as Law No. 47,” says the report.
It says no fewer than 18 Press offences are punishable under this law, which took effect in October 2002 and are often defined in terms that allow a very broad interpretation.
“Reporters Without Borders urges the authorities not to postpone fulfilling their promises to allow more Press freedom,” says the report.
“Reform of the Press law must not be abandoned for lack of political determination, or because of pressure from the radical fundamentalists who form the majority in parliament.”
It says King Hamad has on several occasions expressed a desire to decriminalise Press offences.
“Kuwait is so far the only Gulf nation to have taken this step,” says the report. “Reporters Without Borders thinks the Bahraini authorities should go further and put an end to the state’s monopoly of broadcasting.”
The organisation also urged the Information Ministry to show more restraint in its censorship of the Internet.
“Access to many websites is banned. It should be the job of the courts, not the government, to regulate the Internet,” it says.
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