A new code of ethics has been launched by the Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) for the Kingdom's journalists following recommendations put forward at the National Dialogue last year.

Although the code, launched at the BJA premises in Juffair last night, is not binding by law, the association plans to lobby parliament and push for it to become part of the kingdom's media laws.

BJA cultural and foreign relations committee head Abdulla Al Mannai said the association took the initiative to create the code after the recommendation was put forward at the National Dialogue last year.

"It's not as advanced as the Press Complaints Commission in the UK which regulates and mediates any problems on any issue between journalists, newspapers and the complainant, but it is a step forward towards self-regulation," he told the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"It will take a while but it's a direction that we want to go in," he remarked.

The code was launched at a ceremony attended by the International Federation of Journalists president Jim Boumelha and Arab Journalists Union's secretary-general Makram Mohammed Ahmed, as well as VIPs and dignitaries.

The code was drawn up by the BJA but includes suggestions made by local journalists who were asked for their feedback earlier this month.

"We incorporated the changes and published the code in its final form this week," said Al Mannai. "We want journalists' signatures to support the code itself," he added.

Several local journalists attended the launch and signed the code at the BJA premises.

Akhbar Al Khaleej editor-in-chief Anwar Abdulrahman signed the document in the presence of Shura Council chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh and Minister of State for Follow-up Affairs Mohammed Al Mutawa.-TradeArabia News Service