The unspoken rules imposed on journalist and self-censorship
The unspoken rules imposed on journalist and self-censorship
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights expresses its grave concern over the recent clampdown on freedom of opinion and expression in Bahrain and the expansion of issues that are effective “red lines” in the media defining the scope of the unspoken and unwritten rules of censorship that journalists must observe when discussing certain institutions and people. Often these red lines that limit any criticism are implemented through direct influence of the editors of newspapers. Based on this policy, BCHR has come to learn that the management and editorial board of Albilaad newspaper has informed its journalists and staff by telephone not to address any criticism of the following bodies: the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mumtalakat (sovereign wealth fund) and other organizations related to it, any projects and initiatives governed by the King and his son the Crown Prince.
This comes a month after the reputable journalist, Ali Saleh was stopped from writing for Albilaad newspaper by direct order from the Royal court due to a series of articles he had written discussing the so-called reform process by the King of Bahrain. This seems to have set a dangerous precedent in the newspaper whereby it has threatened to apply the rule across journalists urging them to follow a more positive tone when addressing the King and his son’s projects to appease the watchful eyes of the Royal Court and to avoid angering them in the future.
What is worrying is the increase in the number of articles and journalists that are being censored directly by officials and or are exercising self-censorship. This level of coercion and control on the media through the blocking of websites and the restriction of the press has lead to the regression of Bahrain’s position on international freedom rankings.
Besides the usual methods of restricting media freedom through legal actions and removing articles from the press and preventing journalists the opportunity to continue writing locally, it is also common practice that journalists are threatened or blackmailed directly or indirectly by members of authority in such places as the Royal Court, the Prime Minister’s Court, or the Foreign media department in the Information Ministry. Journalists that breach the red line rule often get sidelined, do not receive invitations to cover big events and occasions, or their respective newspapers are punished by reducing the government advertising that they receive.
Albilaad newspaper is one of the newest in Bahrain and is suspected to be owned by the Prime Minister, Khalifa bin Salman Alkhalifa, and the newspaper’s Chairman, Abdulnabi Al-Shi’ila, is a former minister and current advisor to the PM. The majority of newspapers in Bahrain are in some way controlled by either the King or the PM, either through direct funding or through indirect means of influencing its editorial agenda.
This policy of censorship in Bahrain is in conflict with the principles of freedom of opinion and expression of international treaties and conventions that Bahrain has signed up to, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, wherein article 19 states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
As a result of these ongoing practices to repress journalistic freedom, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights demands that the red lines on journalism are removed, that all practices of authoritarian coercion and control using carrot and stick policies are stopped, and policies that support old and new media’s access to information, freedom independence are allowed and encouraged. These measures would protect the principles of a basic democratic state and their absence and use of propaganda will continue to taint the Bahraini government’s international and domestic reputation.
THE BCHR also calls for the return of Ali Saleh to his previous post in Albilaad newspaper and condemns his use as a scapegoat in the battle of influence and control by the political factions of the ruling family that seek to dominate the press. BCHR urges other journalists to stand in solidarity and support with their colleague, and hopes that the Bahrain’s Society of Journalists takes the appropriate measures necessary to ensure that basic principles of objective journalism and journalist rights are protected, and that the Society supports all cases where journalists are pressured and threatened when writing the truth or exposing corruption being perpetrated by certain political parties and individuals in Bahrain. The Society may not agree with what a journalist says, but it must support their right to say it.
BHRC also urges the government to focus on policies that build an independent and transparent free press, rather their recent attacks and criticism of human rights activists that seek to deliver their regular reports on the human rights situation in the country to international NGOs much to official disdain.
Date : 18 – 12- 2009
Bahrain Centre For Human Rights
