The passing of the new Press and Media Law unanimously by the Shura Council, followed by His Majesty the King’s ratification of the law, represented a very important event in the Bahraini street, especially those in the sector, as it redrawn the features of the media scene in a more mature and broad manner. The long-awaited law carries at its core a new philosophy of freedom. A freedom that does not escape responsibility, nor is it restricted by coercion, but rather stems from a firm belief that the sincere word is the basis for building nations.
The new law turns a page on the penalties depriving journalists of freedom, in a step that reflects the confidence of the state and the legislative authority in the awareness of the word and the ability of the journalist to exercise his role and carry out his duties without fear or hesitation, as this step represents a political and moral message to the world, that the national press is not an opponent of the state, but rather a partner in its renaissance and a mirror that reflects the pulse and aspirations of the people.
Regulating electronic media also came as a necessity imposed by the reality of the digital age, where speech has crossed borders into open spaces in which opinions are formed and trends are formed, so that Bahrain enters a new phase of conscious management of digital content, without eliminating freedom, or silencing mouths, but rather giving the profession a framework that protects it from chaos, and preserves public confidence in its credibility.
Personally, I see that the most beautiful thing about this law is that it is inseparable from the wise royal vision, which made freedom of opinion, thought, and media constant pillars of the national reform project. His Majesty the King always emphasizes that responsible speech is not a crime, and that the press is not an arena for disputes, but rather a space for enlightenment and constructive accountability. Therefore, the law came as a natural extension of a royal thought that believes that free speech is the capital of civilized society, and that journalists are makers of awareness and participants in shaping the future.
What has been achieved today is not measured by the number of legal articles, but rather by the cultural implications they carry. Canceling the imprisonment of journalists does not only mean protecting the profession, but is a clear declaration that Bahrain is moving confidently on the path of the modern civil state, which balances freedom and responsibility, between criticism and construction, and between the media and society.
Despite all this, the responsibility of the journalist remains greater than ever. The new law not only gives him a wider space to write, but also places in his hands the trust of free speech, which must be used in the service of truth and the nation.
Bahrain today, with the royal ratification of the law, is experiencing a new phase in which the relationship between the press and the state is written in the language of partnership and trust, and it is making great strides in its human rights record, confirming that freedom of expression is the culture of a state that believes that the renaissance of peoples begins with freedom of thought and speech.
