Bahrain's mass media have known a remarkable progress with the promotion of "responsible" freedom of expression as an essential part of the political and democratic reform process spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa since his accession to power in 1999 and aims at modernization of media systems both institutionally and technically in order to keep abreast of the information and IT revolution.

As a matter of fact, all political and national issues can be raised in all mass media freely, transparently and objectively. Moreover, all issues pertaining to political and economic reforms can be debated in symposia, meetings and conferences without restraints. Indices showing thriving freedoms in the journalism and media field in Bahrain can be reviewed as follows:

• Media freedom

  • The number of newspapers in Bahrain has risen from 4 Arabic and English dailies in 1999 to 12 dailies and weeklies in 2012.

    They are Akhbar Al-Khaleej (1976), Al-Ayam (1989), Al-Wassat (2002), Al-Watan (2005) and Al-Bilad (2008). Al-Meethaq (May 2004) and Al-Waqt (February 2006) stopped publishing due to financial reasons. Gulf Daily News (1978) and Daily Tribune (1997) are two English dailies.

    Below are the five Arabic daily newspapers:

    Akhbar Al-Khaleej 1976; Al-Ayam 1989, Al-Wasat 2002; Al-Wattan 2005 Al-Bilad 2008.

    Two other newspapers were established namely: Al-Methaq May 2004 and Al-Waqt Feb. 2006 however they stopped for financial reasons.

    Two English daily newspapers namely: Gulf Daily News (GDN) 1978, Daily Tribune 1997.

    Five weeklies: Al-Ahd 2003; Al-Naba 2003; Aswaq 2009, Al-Tijjariya and Sports Kingdom.

  • The number of magazines has gone from 25 up to 65 weeklies and monthlies having various inclinations: economic, societal, entertainment, variety in addition to tens of magazines which have been licensed by other governmental bodies inside the Kingdom.

  • The spread of electronic media and an increase in the number of social networking users. Over 90,000 users have had access to IAA accounts, like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, in 2012.

  • Around 1000 news and press bulletins have been licensed by IAA since mid-year 2011 on issuance of (Hona Al-Bahrain) electronic magazine. The Ministry of Information began issuance of weekly hardcopy of the same magazine in May 1974 which included Radio News since it was issued monthly back in 1956.

    Licensing from the IAA to more than 818 news bulletins, newspapers to government ministries and institutions, political societies, NGOs and sports clubs, religious organizations, advertisers, community centers, trade union associations, regional offices, private and public educational institutions, charity funds, etc.

    Freedom of circulation of publications and audio-visual items: The directorate of printing and publications permitted during the year 2011 the entry of 78027 book titles from various fields of knowledge at the rate of 1,642,392 copies imported under these book titles. The directorate also approved 215 applications for printing local publications from Bahraini authors in addition to permitting the circulation of 27147 audio-visual items, electronic games and software and issued 1642 licenses to carry out sundry media activities from the Bahrain Investors Center which reflect the boom in the quantity of publications and the volume of media business under the reform project of His Majesty the King.

  • Since the launching of HM's reform project in 1999, no journalist has been jailed nor has any newspaper or media institution been closed for any reasons other than financial.

  • The establishment of many professional media associations namely the following:

    Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) established in 2000, joined International Journalists Union in December 2003, Foreign Correspondents Club in July 2005, launching of the GCC Journalists Union in May 2005 based in Bahrain. IAA intends to create a fully equipped Media Center with latest state-of-the-art technologies to become a permanent office for such media organizations.

  • Bahrain Journalists Association's inauguration of the Professional Code of Ethics on January 20th, 2012 reliant upon draft prepared by IAA. The code of ethics consolidates the freedom of speech and constructive opinion in developing the community, boosting the spirit of intimacy and national unity, unification of the body of journalists in order to upgrade newspaper and media work and to ensure professional ethics and morals, protect the rights of journalists, the community under the rule of law.

• Development of the audio-visual media

  • A rise in the number of Bahraini TV channels to namely: the main channel, foreign channel, sports channel1, sports channel2, in addition to two channels namely: the Holy Koran and Bahrain International launched in December 2011 and work according to latest technologies of transmission and quality in order to meet viewers' aspirations.

  • A rise in the number of radio stations to eight radio stations namely: general radio Bahrain transmission, Holy Koran Radio, Bahrain FM, Shabibya Radio, Music Radio, Pop Music Radio, Hindi Radio, English Broadcast Radio (Radio Bahrain) in addition to voice transmission of Bahrain TV channel as well as foreign channel on Radio waves

    The Kingdom retransmitted Arab and foreign radio programs in cooperation with Arab and world countries through FM waves: Emirates FM, Radio Monte Carlo, BBC, MBC FM etc.

  • Attracting Arab and Foreign Radio and TV corporations:

    IAA President Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa signed on February 2, 2012 two memoranda of understanding turning Bahrain into the headquarters of the Arab news channel and the high executive management of Rotana group with effect as from December 12, 2012.

• Upgrading media legislation

  • IAA is committed to upgrading legislation and laws regulating the press and media sector, whether conventional or electronic, as per international conventions and in cooperation with the legislative power and pioneering foreign institutions. Among the most important legislation are:

  • The amendment of law-decree number 47 for 2002 concerning the regulation of press, printing and publication so as to grant more freedom to journalism and media work.

  • A draft bill of law for the media to set up the Supreme Council for Press and Media which shall be an advisory council which gives its opinion regarding bills of law pertaining to media activity, preparation of research studies, follow up of financial reports of media and newspaper organizations, considers complaints, gives opinion on applications requesting issuance of licensure to establish or use media systems and organizations, or any official Bahraini media presence abroad.

  • A draft bill of law regarding the audio-visual media which organizes the rules and regulations pertaining to broadcasting and rebroadcasting of audio-visual programs, and the creation of the Audio-Visual Information Authority which shall acquire its corporate entity and shall be affiliated under the Minister both financially and administratively, and whose duty shall be to develop audio-visual media sector in the Kingdom and boost investments in it.

  • A draft ministerial resolution on electronic publications.

• Qualifications and encouragement to media personnel:

  • IAA is keen to improve the competence and performance of its staff through organizing various training courses and workshops, in cooperation with highly prestigious Arab and international media establishments for example with CNN, AOP, BBC, MBC, Reuters, TWofourt54, the French National Audio-visual Institute, etc..

  • IAA has always been committed to honoring distinguished works of active journalism and media. IAA President HE Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa launched the Social Media Award 2012 in its first edition awarding prizes to the top 30 international social media users according to the following considerations, et alia: responsibility, creativity, contribution, confidence, credibility, compliance with professional ethics and morals. IAA intends to develop the award as from the year 2013 to cover throughout the GCC countries.

• Consolidating media relations abroad:

  • IAA paid a great attention to the activation of MoUs signed with foreign media corporations and organizations in addition to opening media attaché offices in a number of sisterly and friendly countries in the year 2011 namely: Egypt, USA, UK, France and Belgium, and developing organizational skeleton of the external media sector in IAA. Moreover, IAA organizes specialized forums and conferences in the field of journalism, the media and intellectual property, etc., in addition to significant developments which portray the true facts behind the actual situation, reform and development accomplished in the Kingdom at various regional and international functions.

  • In recognition of the Kingdom's achievements in terms of press and media freedom, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received the Arab Media Creativity Award 2010 from the Arab Media Forum which coincided with the events of "Manama the Capital of the Arab Press for 2012" in the period 28-29 February 2012.

  • An ambitious futuristic media strategy

    IAA's President HE Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa inaugurated in June 2011 the authority's media strategy for the years 2011-2016. This step is considered the first of its kind in the history of the official media work and aims to improve performance and stimulate creativity to upgrade the media sector on scientific grounds.

    IAA intends to carry out its strategy both professionally and competently whilst observant to the five principles for a responsible media business as follows: credibility, responsible freedom, fairness, competitiveness by stimulating creativity and sustainability by encouraging media investments and promoting all economically feasible activities.

    IAA media strategy focuses on high values and principles regarding mutual respect, compliance with ethical and professional principles in conduct and job performance, quality assurance, encouragement of creativity and self-improvement, featuring spirit of cooperation, collective work, ensuring efficient, excellent job performance and institutionalization of the media field.

  • By implementing this strategy, IAA aims to achieve five goals:

    • Achieving social partnership
    • Achieving media quality in terms of organization, production and performance.
    • Improving technical quality by upgrading organizational policies, enforcing administrative, financial and technical procedures and upgrading the infrastructure.
    • Developing and stimulating human competencies to tap on creativity potentials and improve performance.
    • Providing and diversifying revenues to spur investments in the media field and rationalize the use of financial resources.

  • IAA is working on attracting international satellite stations and specialized media establishments in the media city set to be constructed after finalizing the needed legal and administrative procedures. It also seeks to promote local, Arab and foreign investments in the media field in partnership with the private sector and in conformity with the Economic Vision 2030.

    IAA is strongly committed to building up an advanced media system that represents the cornerstone for sustainable political, economic and social development.