Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry

Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry
suspended Al-Wasat on 2 April 2011 following a programme that was
broadcast on State-controlled Bahrain Television alleging that the paper had
published “false news and photographs” in the editions published on 26 and
29 March 2011. Al-Wasat was not permitted to publish an edition on 3 April
2011. The IAA permitted Al-Wasat to resume publishing on 4 April, but this
permission for publication was only given after the Editor-in-Chief, Managing
Editor and Local News Editor were forced to resign.
1593. Examples of articles and footage that were published or broadcast by
the national media during February and March 2011 were provided to the
Commission by the GoB and by opposition societies. In addition, the IAA
provided sample writings and footage from various international media. 776
1. Allegations of harassment and defamation of
pro-government journalists
1594. The Commission received a number of allegations from journalists
stating that they had been harassed and slandered for their pro-government
opinions. A number of columnists and reporters working for Akhbar Al-
Khaleej, Al-Ayam, Al-Bilad and Al-Watan, some of whom identify
themselves as “anti-protester”, reported that they had been defamed, harassed
and threatened by people on social media sites. A list of names and
photographs of prominent pro-government journalists, entitled the “List of
Shame”, was circulated online and posted on social media websites. 777 The
list contained the names of a number of journalists and made accusations that
they had been paid off by the GoB and that they were government “cronies”.
In addition, at least two journalists alleged that they received telephone calls
from unknown persons making death threats. These journalists felt compelled
to take security measures to protect themselves and their families, including
changing their place of residence. 778
1595. The Commission conducted a meeting with the head of the Bahrain
Journalists’ Association, during which he alleged that the “List of Shame” was
an example of defamation and incitement to hatred and violence. 779 The “List
of Shame” allegedly targeted a number of journalists, disclosing their identity
as government apologists and using inflammatory and to some extent
derogatory or insulting language.
2. Allegations of harassment and defamation of
anti-government journalists
1596. The Commission also received a number of allegations concerning
harassment and defamation of anti-government journalists. These included an
776
The Commission conducted meetings with editors-in-chief and representatives of all the
above Bahraini newspapers.
777
Facebook, Bahrain’s List of Shame, http://ar-ar.facebook.com/BahrainListOfShame,
accessed 10 November 2011.
778
Statements provided to the Commission.
779
Meeting with the Commission, 19 October 2011.
390