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TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Mahir Haneef

The Bahrain Council of Representatives passed a proposal for an amendment in criminal law to impose tough punishments for those misusing social media and broadcasting platforms. A jail term of three to six months and fines ranging between BD100 and BD1,000 have been proposed for those inciting others to public indecency through their words or actions.

This would be achieved by amending Article 354 of the penal code, which had specified a jail term of three months and a fine of BD20 earlier. Further, those spying on the private lives of others, editing or broadcasting such pictures, videos, or conversations, spreading rumours, or circulating images of those killed or injured in accidents would face a jail term of five years and a fine of BD5,000 through the amendment proposed to Article 370.

A jail term of three years and a fine ranging from BD1,000 to BD3,000 were proposed for those engaging in defamation through mass media. The fine would increase to BD5,000 for repeat offenders or related offences.

Speaking during the council session, MP Hanan Mohamed Fardan called for intensive awareness programmes targeting youth and adolescents to be provided by the Ministry of Education through schools and the media. Additionally, mechanisms should be in place to monitor visual and audio materials published through media that go against customs and traditions, the MP said.