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Bahrain - A campaign aimed at reviving efforts to pass a long-awaited Press law has been launched by the country’s journalist association.
The Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) has called on government and legislators to fast-track work on ratifying a new Press and Media Law, which has been in debate for the last 13 years.
It comes as advancements in the draft law were discussed yesterday at a meeting of the Government Executive Council, which was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
BJA president Ahdeya Ahmed welcomed the outcome of the meeting and said the online campaign aimed to speed up work on legislation.
“It has been 13 years since amendments to the law have been proposed and we are happy that the Crown Prince took it up in the meeting,” she told the GDN.
“The Crown Prince has promised that the law will be discussed, which gives us hope that it will be adopted this year.
“Our online campaign will continue to promote this call and all journalists are urged to join the campaign, so that we have a Press law matching global changes in the field.
“We hope that this law will soon be passed to the legislative authorities, so that it will be issued before the Parliament term ends in May.”
The GDN reported in August that under the new law journalists and media professionals will not be held accountable for expressing personal opinions or true facts and information.
It also stipulates that journalists or media professionals will not be forced to disclose sources of their information, unless hiding them will pose a threat to public order or public interest following a court order.
“We also request that the law authorises the BJA to deal with differences amongst employees and employers in news outlets, be it in terms of reconciliation or reprimanding,” added Ms Ahmed.
“This aims to ensure journalists are protected at the workplace which is needed.
“We hope to see an updated and amended Press law this year, which will well represent journalists in Bahrain and Bahrain internationally as a country that respects journalists.”
She said the law was also necessary to combat fake news and unsubstantiated information spreading on social media, which ends up shaping public opinion.
“An updated Press law will help journalists (in Bahrain) to work in line under specific regulations, and also help them understand their rights,” she said.
“It will protect them and will also help the country protect itself from the spread of fake news.
“Bahrain is being targeted by entities abroad that criticise the status of journalists in the country.
“An updated and amended Press law will add to the credibility of the BJA and the journalists in the country.
“It will also help tackle the intended harm to our country attempted by entities that spread fake news.”
Punishment
As per the new law, anyone who offends or commits an aggression against a journalist on account of his work will face the same punishment prescribed by the Penal Code concerning offences committed against a civil servant.
It also adds that, anyone who publishes, circulates or spreads defamatory comments against the country’s official religion or His Majesty King Hamad or incites hatred or contempt against a particular group or faction that results in disrupting public order or driving a wedge between members of the society or jeopardising social unity will face a fine of no less than BD5,000 and no more than BD50,000.
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