Foreign news agencies to verify the truth when reporting on Bahrain’s affairs, said a senior government official.

Minister of State for Information Affairs and government spokesperson Sameera Rajab also said they must obtain media-related entry visas in compliance with laws, according to a report in our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

The minister emphasised the continuity of reforms and modernisation in Bahrain which is firmly pushing towards national consensus dialogue as part of implementation of Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry's recommendations.

She rejected the instigation of acts of violence against expatriates out of false slogans or under the guise of "human rights" or "peaceful demonstrations".

Rajab, in a letter to The New York Times and The Herald Tribune, denounced Press reports published by Nick Kristof on December 22 and 24 that included false allegations surrounding the whereabouts of his detention.

She pointed out that he had been denied entry into the kingdom because he failed to submit an official application to obtain a media-related entry visa in accordance with regulations applicable for all journalists.

The Minister said that the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) sent an official letter of protest to the Associated Press regarding a report by its reporter in Bahrain, Reem Khalifa, published on December 8, which included a purposeful falsification of the Saudi Arabian Deputy Foreign Minister's speech during the Manama Dialogue, which was tantamount to a gross breach of professional ethics and truthfulness as stipulated under the Press Law and all international conventions.

Hence, the IAA reserves its right to pursue legal action, the Minister said. – TradeArabia News Service