Hassan Al-Sitri
– Jihad Al-Fadil: The new legislation embodies the royal vision to consolidate freedom of speech
– Jamila Al-Salman: The law is a qualitative shift that enhances transparency and keeps pace with digital transformations
– Jalila Al-Sayyid: The cooperation of the two authorities resulted in a balanced law that meets the aspirations of journalists
– Mounir Sorour: Canceling imprisonment in publishing cases is a step that strengthens press freedom and responsibility
– Hanan Fardan: The new law is a real qualitative leap in the course of the Bahraini media
Parliamentary and Shura figures unanimously agreed that the ratification by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the law regulating the press and electronic media represents a turning point in the process of legislative and media development in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and an embodiment of the lofty royal vision in support of freedom of responsible speech and the consolidation of the state of law and institutions.
The speakers stressed that the new law reflects the wise leadership’s awareness of the importance of the press and media as active partners in national construction, and keeps pace with accelerating digital transformations, giving journalists and media professionals a broader space for creativity and professionalism within a framework of trust and transparency, thus enhancing Bahrain’s leadership position in the media field at the regional and international levels.
The Second Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Jihad Al-Fadhel, confirmed that the ratification of the law regulating the press and electronic media by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa confirms that Bahrain is confidently moving towards supporting freedom of responsible speech.
She explained that the new, modern and enlightened legislation is considered a legal document that reflects the advanced royal vision to consolidate the role of the press and the media as partners in the process of national construction, and establishes guarantees that preserve freedom and establish responsibility.
She believed that supporting freedom of the press is considered the cornerstone of Bahrain’s renaissance, and that the law reflects Bahrain’s awareness of its position and leadership in the journalistic and media field in the region, which enhances the role of the Bahraini press to be an honest mirror of the nation’s renaissance, and an essential partner in shedding light on the achievements of the comprehensive development process under the leadership of His Majesty the King.
The Chairman of the Services Committee of the Shura Council, Dr. Jameela Al-Salman, with the approval of His Majesty the King of the country, issuing Law No. (41) of 2025 amending some provisions of Decree Law No. (47) of 2002 regarding the regulation of the press, printing and publishing, stressing that this law represents a qualitative leap in the process of developing media legislation in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and embodies the lofty royal vision of building a modern media system based on responsible freedom, transparency and credibility.
Al-Salman indicated that this law reflects the interest of the wise leadership in supporting the national press and electronic media, and enabling those working in them to perform their noble professional mission in an atmosphere of trust and openness, which contributes to enhancing the values of belonging and citizenship, and consolidating the pillars of the state of law and institutions.
She expressed her pride in the constructive cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which resulted in the issuance of this advanced legislation, stressing that it is an important step in keeping pace with the accelerating digital and media transformations, and strengthening the position of the Kingdom of Bahrain as an environment supportive of freedom of expression and responsible professional media.
For her part, Member of the House of Representatives, Jalila Al-Sayyed, praised the royal approval by His Majesty the King of the country of the Press and Electronic Media Law, stressing that this approval represents the culmination of an integrated national path of legislative work and institutional cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities.
Al-Sayyid indicated that the House of Representatives had approved this law during her term as chairman of the Services Committee in the last session, after great efforts and continuous coordination between all relevant parties, and efforts that continued for years, reflecting the spirit of consensus that brought together the government, the legislative authority, and the Bahraini press body, arriving at a modern, balanced law that meets aspirations and takes into account changes.
She expressed appreciation to the government, headed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its constructive cooperation and keenness to develop media legislation. She also appreciated His Majesty the King’s praise of the role of the national press and electronic media in spreading awareness and knowledge, and his constant emphasis on supporting freedom of opinion and expression as a pillar of the reform approach in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
She stressed that the next stage requires issuing regulatory decisions that reflect the royal directives and enhance the climate of openness and professional responsibility in media work, which contributes to improving national content and raising the efficiency of journalistic practice in accordance with advanced legal frameworks.
She pointed out that the new law, which abolished the prison sentence for journalists, should give journalists a wider space to express their opinions and the concerns and aspirations of the nation and the citizen under the umbrella of creativity and commitment.
Representative Dr. confirmed Mounir Sorour said that the Press Law, which has been subject to careful amendments, expands freedom of expression in a responsible manner, and gives the press a semblance of immunity to carry out its roles in an easy way, far from the threat of imprisonment and prosecution. He pointed out that the law abolished the penalty of imprisonment in publishing cases, contenting itself with accountability and fines, which were also reduced, and in return, it set controls for licensing and renewing licenses.
He pointed out that the law, which was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives and the Shura Council, and included broader areas of media activity in terms of framing and regulation, addressed matters related to electronic media and digital platforms that had remained outside the framework of regulation for a long time, indicating that lifting the state of uncertainty helps activists in cyberspace to work comfortably to know what is theirs and what is wrong with them.
Sorour pointed out that among the advantages of the new law is that it allows media work through websites by granting them the right to own websites under specific, clear conditions, and that is a privilege that helps the vitality of media work, praising the efforts made by the concerned authorities, most notably the House of Representatives and the Shura Council, the Ministry of Information, the Bahraini Journalists Association, and those active in cyberspace.
Meanwhile, MP Hanan Fardan praised the royal approval of the new Press and Media Law, describing it as historic legislation that embodies the developmental vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, and establishes a new phase in the national media process.
She explained that the new law does not represent merely a legislative text, but rather constitutes a turning point in the relationship between freedom and responsibility, as it achieves the desired balance between ensuring freedom of expression and preserving societal responsibility, thus enhancing citizen confidence in national media institutions, and giving the press a broader space for creativity and initiative.
She added that the new legislation moves Bahrain from a culture of censorship to a culture of institutional control, and from the logic of licensing to the logic of societal accountability, making it an effective tool for consolidating intellectual immunity in light of the digital challenges witnessed in the contemporary world.
She noted that the new law constitutes a real qualitative leap in the course of the Bahraini media, and opens broad horizons for the next media generation to exercise its role in construction and enlightenment, within a framework of responsible freedom and moral discipline that consolidates national values and serves the public interest.
