Bahrain: Back to Dictation

re2015

Bahraini journalists share the world’s celebration of the World Press Freedom Day in 2016 amid a deteriorating media situation, where journalists face unjust governmental policies, setting journalism
and media back to an age of dictation. This comes as a predictable result of the policies against journalists; targeting them, arresting and persecuting them in courts that lack the basic guarantees of fair trial. Perhaps the annual report of the Bahrain Press Association for 2015 being titled “Back to Dictation” is an indicator of the signi cance of
the main developments in the country over the past year, rea rming there is no space for the other opinion. In addition, to keep controlling this space, the government relies on intimidating journalists, citizens, politicians and human rights activists through targeting them and depriving them of their freedom of expression, a right granted by all local and international conventions as well as the constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In spite of the fact that the volume of political protests has decreased, the past year (2015) has witnessed the biggest amount of violations on freedom of press and expression. The authorities used the international media’s preoccupation with the con icts in other countries in the Middle East, to tighten their grip in Bahrain.

The records of the Bahrain Press Association show about 288 violations related to basic rights such as freedom of press, opinion and expression. Perhaps one of the main highlights of what has been documented in the past year is recording 30 cases of detentions and arrests of journalists and politicians for practicing their job or giving statements with content opposing or di ering from the government perspective, whether on local or regional issues.

Bahraini authorities continue to use their harassment methods and ban press materials that con ict with their interests. It was hoped for political and security authorities to adhere to more neutral and positive policies, however, the course of events in 2015 did not see such improvements. Those extreme policies have resulted in minimizing the space for political dialogue and social conversation that could have contributed to bridging the gap between the active political sides, including the negative social reactions to the political developments in country and the region, alike.

Bahrain Press Association would like to express their deep gratitude to everyone who have contributed to completing this report, especially the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), United State of America.

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