Manama, Aug. 8 (BNA): The Information Affairs Authority (IAA) moved today to clarify misreporting over the temporary suspension of Al Wasat and the status of other newspaper titles within the Kingdom of Bahrain.
This follows erroneous reports by some international media outlets and external organisations, which inaccurately claimed Al Wasat newspaper is the only independently-run newspaper in the Kingdom, which is categorically untrue. All newsprint titles currently published in the Kingdom are both independently owned and managed.

The IAA has also made clear that the decision to temporarily suspend Al Wasat, came only after a lengthy process of warnings and consultative meetings with the title’s management were exhausted and failed to see the paper correct legal and regulatory failings. These consisted of the repeated publication of material which sought to undermine national unity as well as Bahrain’s relationship with other countries.
The IAA is continuing to work alongside the publication to help it rectify these failures and to ensure Bahrain’s laws and media regulations are fully met.

Freedom of expression is guaranteed by Bahrain’s constitution, fully protected by Bahraini law and the Kingdom continues to enhance media regulation to strengthen this important right further still.