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Proposal to scrap prison term for journalists in Bahrain slammed

Hours after the information minister highlighted the merits of a draft law that scraps prison terms for journalists, an MP attacked it as unconstitutional and another vowed to resist it, in an indication of the ominous and apprehensive times awaiting the media.

  • By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 16:31 May 6, 2008
  • Gulf News

Manama: Hours after the information minister highlighted the merits of a draft law that scraps prison terms for journalists, an MP attacked it as unconstitutional and another vowed to resist it, in an indication of the ominous and apprehensive times awaiting the media.

"The proposed law is a violation of Article 18 of the constitution that states that all people are equal in their rights and duties regardless of their sex, origin, language, religion or faith," MP Abdullah Al Dossari said. "The abolition of the prison terms for journalists means that they are given privileges that are against the constitution. The parliament will have to scrutinise it carefully to ensure that no law is broken," said the independent MP.

The draft law to amend the controversial Law 47 governing the press and publication was announced by the government on Sunday and explained by the information minister on Monday.

Bahrain Journalists Association and journalists hailed the amendments as "a much anticipated enhancement of the media situation", but expressed concerns that Islamist MPs, ostensibly concerned with criticism of religion, would not back it and would block its promulgation.

"I want to reiterate my position against the draft law because all people are equal and the prison term should not be scrapped from the law," Mohammad Khalid, representing the Islamic Menbar, said in a statement.

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