A Supreme Authority for Information and Communications will be established in Bahrain - to protect freedom of expression.

Chaired by HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the weekly Cabinet meeting approved a draft decree to launch the initiative, our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News reported.

The planned Authority will be mandated to propose information and communication policies and follow up their implementation.

It will also draw up a national strategy for information and communication, and be in charge of defining rules and regulations to promote the media and communications profession.

The panel will work towards achieving vital national interests, preserving social unity and protecting constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of opinion and expression in mass media. It will receive complaints relating to media content and attempt reconciliation between all parties.

The Authority will assume its duties in total freedom, neutrality and independence. – TradeArabia News Service