Bahrain is to be the base for a new initiative to promote ethical and independent journalism in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has revealed.

IFJ, which has its headquarters in Brussels, opened its first office in the region at the Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) premises on April 16.

'Bahrain was chosen as our base because of the expansion of Press freedom enjoyed by Bahrain in recent years,' said IFJ secretary-general Aidan White.

'The decision was taken on the recommendation of BJA following a campaign we launched in Dubai recently.

'Journalists from around the region also agreed to this proposal and a 12-member supervisory committee was elected.'

White said the choice of Bahrain as an IFJ base would encourage Gulf countries to engage more in the debate about democratic reform, particularly with regard to media.

'The world of journalism is facing turbulence in the light of the global economic crisis and challenges from new media such as the Internet, which has compelled many outlets to restructure their organisations,' he noted.

'IFJ's affiliates in the Middle East can put the notion of independent journalism on the table in their efforts to persuade their governments, many of whom are not interested in freedom of the Press, to embrace free and independent journalism.

'In Bahrain also, there are problems relating to the banning of certain websites.'

White said he hoped Bahrain would implement its new Media Law as soon as possible.

'The amendment to the law is still under debate at the Parliament,' he added.

'We expect the government to move quickly to bring into place the new law, which will make the conditions for exercising professional journalism freer and more effective.

'This will give a message to the world that Bahrain continues the process of openness. This will also help improve the situation of journalists in Bahrain.'

White said governments working against freedom of the Press were working against their own best interests.

He said the IFJ's Bahrain office would organise a series of seminars and conferences in the countries within the region on ethical journalism.

White met Culture and Information Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa yesterday to mark World Press Freedom Day.

BJA president Isa Al Shaiji welcomed the IFJ's activities in Bahrain.-TradeArabia News Service