The Bahraini Journalists Association confirmed that the national press is an essential partner in supporting the comprehensive development process taking place in the Kingdom of Bahrain, noting the prestigious status enjoyed by the Bahraini press in light of the high patronage and unlimited support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him.
This came during the high-level media meeting organized by the Bahrain Journalists Association, in the presence of Nabil bin Yaqoub Al-Hamar, Adviser to His Majesty the King for Media Affairs, Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information, Issa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, Advisor for Media Affairs at the Crown Prince’s Court, along with Yousef Al-Binkhalil, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, and Ahmed Khaled Al-Arifi, CEO of the National Contact Center, in addition to editors-in-chief of local newspapers, members of the Society’s Board of Directors, and a number of media sector officials in the Kingdom.
At the beginning of the meeting, the President of the Bahraini Journalists Association appreciated the issuance of the royal order to allocate and build land to be a permanent headquarters for the association, stressing that this generous initiative embodies the high royal appreciation for the responsible national role played by the Bahraini press, and reflects the belief of His Majesty the King, may God support him, in the importance of the media as an active partner in supporting development efforts and enhancing community participation.
Al-Shaiji explained that the meeting was devoted to reviewing the most prominent gains of the Press and Electronic Media Law, which His Majesty the Great King, may God protect and preserve him, approved by ratifying it after its approval by the Shura and Representatives Councils, which reflects the Kingdom’s orientation towards strengthening the legislative environment that guarantees free and responsible media work.
Nabil bin Yacoub Al-Hamar stressed that the Press and Electronic Media Law represents an extension of a pioneering legislative and media path that began at the beginning of the new millennium, when His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, directed the preparation of a modern and enlightened law for publications and publishing, with the launch of His Majesty’s reform project that laid the foundations of freedom and responsibility in media work.
He explained that this stage established a solid legislative base that regulated media work in the Kingdom of Bahrain and established the principle of professional responsibility in journalism, to be a starting point towards developing the media environment leading to the Press and Electronic Media Law, which reflects the spirit of the times and keeps pace with current digital changes, and grants responsible media freedom based on professional values and respect for the law.
For his part, Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information, praised the constructive cooperation with the Bahrain Journalists Association during the stages of preparing and developing the law, which was embodied through extensive discussions and consultations that included newspaper editors, practitioners in the media field, and representatives of journalistic institutions.
He pointed out that these efforts resulted in the drafting of an advanced law that enhances freedom of the press, guarantees the rights of workers in the media field, and establishes a responsible national media capable of keeping pace with the rapid developments the world is witnessing in light of the comprehensive renaissance that the Kingdom is experiencing in various sectors.
He noted that the law witnessed a fundamental development that enhanced freedom of opinion and expression, established the protection of journalists and media workers, and abolished the penalty of imprisonment in publishing cases and was satisfied with a financial fine, in a manner that reflects the supreme directives of His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him, in consolidating the principles of freedom of opinion and expression in accordance with what was stipulated in the National Action Charter and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Issa bin Abdul Rahman Al Hammadi, Advisor for Media Affairs at the Crown Prince’s Court, also confirmed that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, approved and issued Law No. (41) of 2025 amending some provisions of Decree Law No. (47) of 2002 regarding the organization of the press, printing and publishing, which reflects the development renaissance witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain in various aspects, including media and journalism, pointing out that The amendments to the law keep pace with the modern developments witnessed by the media sector at the local and global levels and make it, as His Majesty intended, may God support him, a modern and enlightened law that supports the progress of the national press and the media, enhances their constructive role in the process of construction and development, preserves the rights of journalists and media workers, and fulfills their aspirations in performing their journalistic duties and responsibilities with all efficiency, ease and high professionalism.
He pointed out that the Press and Publications Law, upon its issuance in 2002, came to consolidate freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution, and was based on the principles of the National Action Charter, and was the result of the work of the Charter Activation Committee headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, whose directives emphasized the necessity of approving the amendments through fruitful and constructive cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities, and in coordination with the Journalists’ Association, newspaper editors, and media professionals. In the Kingdom of Bahrain. Noting the commendable efforts of His Excellency the Minister of Information in this regard.
He explained that the recent amendments give the media system more flexibility and the ability to keep pace with the requirements of the times and accommodate future developments in the field of media, stressing at the same time that the law is distinguished by its flexibility and ability to accommodate any future development witnessed by electronic media platforms in their various forms.
He stated that this legislative shift represents an advanced step towards building an integrated media system that enhances the quality of national content and ensures a balance between freedom of expression and professional responsibility, in line with Bahrain’s future vision of developing the media as one of the pillars of sustainable development.
In turn, Mr. Anwar Abdul Rahman, Editor-in-Chief of Akhbar Al-Khaleej newspaper, on behalf of the editors-in-chief of local newspapers, expressed his deep appreciation for the high support and care that the Bahraini press receives in light of the comprehensive development process witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great king of the country, may God protect and preserve him, stressing that the freedom and responsibility witnessed by the Kingdom of Bahrain in journalistic and media work is a pioneering model in the region.
He pointed out that the Press and Electronic Media Law embodies the vision of His Majesty the King, may God protect him and preserve him, in empowering free and responsible speech and enhancing the role of the national media as an essential partner in supporting the development process. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Information and the Bahraini Journalists Association for their fruitful cooperation and their continued efforts in developing the media environment in the Kingdom.
The meeting concluded by emphasizing the growing role of the Bahraini press in consolidating the values of belonging and loyalty, strengthening national unity, highlighting national successes, and highlighting the Kingdom’s achievements in various sectors, thus enhancing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position in regional and international forums.
