The Bahrain Press Association: Al-Wasat’s ban is a retaliatory decision for publishing an article about Al-Huceima protests in Morocco
Bahrain Press Association – London – June 4, 2017: The Bahrain Press Association condemns the decision of the Bahraini Ministry of Information Affairs today to “prohibit issuing and circulating of al-Wasat newspaper until further notice”, citing the violation of the law and the repeated publication and broadcasting of discrimination in the society. After publishing an article in today’s number, June 4, 2017 on page 19, which includes an offence to one of the Arab countries”, according to the official Bahrain News Agency.
Al-Wasat newspaper no. 5384 issued today included an article by journalist Qassem Hussein entitled “Al-Hoceima protests in Morocco knock the alarm again.” The article, which caused the closure of the newspaper, did not include any irregularities of the values of journalism or the determinants of professional journalism.
The Association considers that the decision of the “Information Affairs” to ban al-Wasat newspaper for publishing the article is a deliberate targeting for revenge. It is also a continuation of the restriction policies and a termination of the freedom of opinion and speech, stressing that this is in direct violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the country and the international laws and charters that the Kingdom of Bahrain has signed and pledged to comply with. The Association believes that this decision reinforces fears that Bahrain is accelerating towards further declines in press freedoms.
The Association calls upon the Bahraini authorities to undo this regrettable and arbitrary decision and to stop targeting newspapers and journalists, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 47 on the organization of press, printing and publishing, which states that “Newspapers may not be confiscated, blocked or revoked except by virtue of the judiciary “.
Al-Wasat newspaper has been subjected to official harassment as it was repeatedly closed in 2011, 2015 and early 2017 under the same justifications. The proceedings of the first closure decision point that according to a neutral investigation, official government agencies were involved in fabricating a series of news items in the name of the newspaper for political and reprisal purposes.
Since 2011, a number of al-Wasat journalists have been arrested, interrogated and prosecuted because of the newspaper approach, which the Bahraini government considers to be opposing.
The records of the Bahrain Press Association also document the repeated targeting of journalists and civil society activists for discussing regional and international issues, considering that violating the official view is a punishable crime. This includes the arrest of Fadhil Abbas, Secretary General of the National Democratic Rally (Unity) on March 26, 2015 after publishing a statement condemning the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.
The Bahraini Public Prosecution investigated with international human rights activist Nabil Rajab on April 4, 2015 for what she said was “publishing news and pictures in the media that included a description of the military actions of the Kingdom in Yemen, which would question its legality.”