The Bahrain Press Association publishes its fifteen annual report: Bahrain 2024: A Calm Authority and a Fearful Society

Bahrain Press Association: 3 May 2025, United Kingdom. On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day 2025, the Bahrain Press Association (BPA) publishes its fifteenth annual report titled: “Bahrain 2024: A Calm Authority and a Fearful Society”.

The title of this year’s annual report, “Bahrain 2024: A Calm Authority and a Fearful Society,” underscores a growing disparity between state power and public sentiment. Government authorities are fortified by a body of laws and mechanisms that ensure their protection and immunity from any criticism or questioning of their performance of their duties and obligations. On the other hand, the Bahraini society lives in a complex state of fear and constant threats of activating the strict arsenal of personal penalties and judicial procedures. This is coupled with intensified surveillance of online activity and summoning journalists, social media users, politicians, and civil society figures for questioning and intimidation. These measures reportedly include demands to delete online posts and sometimes amount to legal proceedings.

The Bahrain Press Association documented approximately 100 violations against journalists, media professionals, and civil society activists in the country during the year 2024. Since the onset of the February 2011 protests, the BPA has documented nearly 2,000 violations of press freedom and free expression. Over 100 cases have led to arrests or interrogations, with legal action pursued in more than 100 instances.

In its latest annual report, the Bahrain Press Association (BPA) details a series of charges brought against activists and journalists in 2024, including accusations such as “contempt of persons revered by the public,” “tweeting insults against religious symbols glorified by a particular sect,” and “participating in a demonstration with the aim of committing crimes or undermining public security.” Other charges cited include “undermining the social fabric of Bahrain,” “insulting a particular ministry via social media,” “misusing social media,” and “verbally and physically assaulting the honor and integrity of the victim.” The report also noted the cancellation of a panel discussion, allegedly due to “non-compliance with the club’s statute provisions and objectives.”

The BPA’s report coincides with the release of several detained media professionals. These releases came as part of a royal pardon issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to commemorate the silver jubilee of his accession to the throne. Journalist Mahmoud Al-Jazeeri, who was arrested in December 2015 on charges related to terrorism and “incitement to hatred of the regime” and was sentenced to 15 years, was freed in April 2024. Photographers Mustafa Rabie and Ahmed Zein El-Din were also released, after being arrested along with a third unnamed photographer on charges of assaulting police and participating in unauthorized gatherings.

While the Bahrain Press Association commends the royal pardon and the broadened application of the Law of Alternative Penalties and Open Prisons, the BPA continues to call on authorities to cease arbitrary arrests and repeated interrogations of social media activists. The Association further urges the government to the necessity of including positive government measures to reconsider the cases of journalists and civil society activists whose citizenships were revoked and to restore them, as the revocation decision violates the provisions of the constitution and the law.

Moreover, the BPA believes that the time has come to open up media and press freedoms in the country and to reconsider the priorities of the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, particularly regarding its powers and the extent to which the directorate adheres to the provisions of the constitution and the relevant legal frameworks.

The Cybercrime Directorate continues to pursue individuals who criticizes the government or its policies on social media. Users are frequently summoned shortly after posting and are subjected to interrogations that normally involve explicit or implicit threats. Activists report being told that there are ready-made cases against them in the Public Prosecution or that a minister has filed a formal complaint. Unless their posts are removed and they pledge to refrain from criticizing the authorities again, these complaints will be considered for legal proceedings.

In some instances, activists are forced to pledge not to comment on public, political, or human rights issues. This is a calculated attempt to reduce the number of vocal cyber activists without causing a public outcry. Additional reported measures include fabricated legal charges, dismissal from employment, and travel bans targeting protest participants and civil society figures.

The Bahrain Press Association (BPA) emphasizes the need for the immediate and unconditional release of all politicians, human rights and civil society activists detained for exercising their work or their right to freedom of opinion and expression. The BPA also reiterates its demand to end the authorities’ monopoly of television, radio, and print media, and to open media outlets to opposition voices.

The BPA calls upon His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to look into these violations, launch investigations, and take the necessary actions to halt abuses and restrain the excesses of state institutions that operate in violation of constitutional and legal foundations.

The Association calls on the United Nations, Bahrain’s friendly countries, and all international organizations and bodies concerned with defending freedom of opinion, expression, media and the press freedom to urgently intervene and pressure the Bahraini government to:

Release immediately and unconditionally all media professionals and civil society activists detained for practicing their work or exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression and restore citizenship to all journalists and political activists whose citizenships have been revoked.
Adopt a more serious and open government policy toward journalists’ and civil society activists’ rights to express their opinions and exercise the right to criticise without fear or targeting.
Stop arbitrary prosecutions, arrests, and judicial trials on charges of “inciting hatred against the regime”, “misuse of social media”, and all that is related to restricting freedom of opinion and expression in the country.
Open up media and press freedoms in the country and reconsider the priorities of the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, especially concerning its authority to monitor internet users, ensuring its commitment to the provisions of the constitution and the law. Authorities involved in criminal investigations must also be instructed to adhere to the law and refrain from abusing power, threatening citizens and activists, and violating their civil and political rights.
End the government’s monopoly over television, radio, and print media and open media outlets to opposing views.
Invite the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression to schedule an urgent visit to Bahrain.

The Bahraini Press Association extends its sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the preparation of this report, with special thanks to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) – United States, the funding body for this report.

To read the full report, click Here