Bahraini Matters, Bahraini Politics, Excerpts »

It was just 14 years ago (which isn’t much – at least to me) I can clearly remember how things went, how scared everyone was to even talk, over the phone or even face to face, the daily “events” went without being reported to anyone, stories untold, news of mass arrests, riots, even deaths went unheard of only by the few who witnessed them.

The government had a very firm grip on all possible communication channels; and it was done a pretty damn good one.

Today, the very same mentality is still there.. Still in power.. Still in action… The very same system that banned books and magazines back the 70’s and 80’s of the last century will gladly block whatever webpage that argues material it is “they” does not like, they will suspend a newspaper because of an article, the case of Mohamemd AlSahlawi and Hussain Hubaishi who were arrested for “possession of publications threatening the security of the state” (More Here), the arrest of AliAbdulimam, the prosecution of journalists, still very fresh in our minds, reminding us of who’s rules we should play with. But how much further can you go really?

Who would’ve thought that the Wall Street Journal will post an article featuring Mr. Frieh AlRawi who is an ex-Syrian national recruited among “thousand others Arabs and Pakistanis to serve in Bahrain’s security forces and eventually rewarded with Bahraini citizenship for their loyalty to the crown”? Who would’ve expected that the recent street brawl between Isa AlJib and his naturalized Syrian neighbors would be brought out to the rest of the world as evidence of “Sectarian Strife” on the island? (Full Article) and another by Reuters (Source)

Who would’ve expected that the Associated Press will quote Bahrain Center of Human rights figures highlighting the decline in high-level government posts held by Shiites to a mind boggling 13% in 2008. (Source)

Things have escalated up to a level where a simple search on youtube or google for the word “Bahrain” will mostly return you clips of demonstrations, anti-governmental poetry, sermons and riots…

Away from it being right or wrong, away from whether or not our رشيدة government agrees with what is published, and how things are narrated. The views of our so called “opposition” are out for the world to see… And what is best is, they can’t stop it!

I am sick and tired of reading the one sided local media coverage, I am bored of those long lengthy columns written by pro-government writers “supporting and blessing the political reforms in the country”, we have problems and our media is not competent enough to stand up to proper standards, our newspapers will gladly publish newspieces of articles of good wishes being sent from Mr. X to Mr. Y, but will overlook a demonstration calling for the release of prisoners regardless of their royal pardon, it will cover witty pointless news from Reuters and AP, and overlook studies and reports carried out by BCHR or Wa’ad Political party concerning the lands in Bahrain. It will publish articles by the editor in chief of the newspaper condemning acts of violence and local protests, but completely overlook stories of police brutality and the use of banned ammunition.

It is about time we get a breath of fresh air, one that is not contaminated by the local “ass-kissing” plague…

Kudos BCHR, thank you for bringing our voice out to the rest of the world..