Bahrain to scrap jail terms for journalists

Bahrain is to ban the imprisonment of journalists under amendments to the kingdom's press and publication law approved by cabinet on Sunday.

The draft law also outlaws the prior censorship of local newspapers and other publications, although foreign publications will still be subject to government oversight.

The law was approved to coincide with World Press Freedom Day on Saturday, designed by the UN to raise awareness about violations to freedom of expression worldwide.

"The amendment shields those who exercise their right to freedom of expression from punishment as long as they preserve the political systems, privacy and fundamentals, the kingdom's historical facts and general decencies," reported the official Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

The amended law has been referred to the Shura Council and parliament for consultation.

The law was well received by local newspapers in Bahrain, with both major English-language dailies splashing news of the approval across their front pages.

"Free to speak out," cried Gulf Daily News, while the Bahrain Tribune heralded the decision "Impressive move".

"Freedom of expression in Bahrain yesterday received a major boost as the amended law on press and publications was approved," read Gulf Daily News.

The law is "a major move to give a further boost to the Fourth Estate in the kingdom," said the Bahrain Tribune.

Bahrain has a chequered past on press freedom and has often come in for criticism by human rights groups and press freedom advocates for restricting freedom of expression.

Reporters Without Borders in February accused Bahrain of restricting on access to information, arrests, delays in decriminalising press offences and online censorship.

Bahrain has denied the accusations, saying the reports "do not match the reality of journalism in the kingdom".

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Bahrain was ranked 118th out of 169 countries in Reporters Without Borders' Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007. Out of the Gulf states on the list only Saudi Arabia (148) was ranked lower.