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Guide to the Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

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Middle East and North Africa

North America

Asia-Pacific

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Central and Eastern Europe

The past year has seen a significant increase in e-commerce activities and ICT investments in Bahrain. This growth is driven by rising consumer spending and a heightened demand for cloud services, positioning Bahrain as a growing hub for digital commerce and technological innovation.

Bahrain's media industry is also shaped by broader regional and global trends, including the shift towards digital revenue and on-demand content. These trends require media companies to adapt their business models to capture growth in digital and streaming sectors. Industry developments emphasise Bahrain's changing media environment, characterised by strategic investments in technology and alignment with global media consumption patterns.

The industry has also been significantly influenced by legal frameworks governing freedom of expression, online content and international legal action. Bahraini authorities maintain stringent control over online content. The Ministry of Information Affairs and the Ministry of Interior have the authority to block websites without court orders, targeting content that ‘instigates hatred’, breaches ethics or discusses prohibited topics.

Additionally, website administrators could be held legally responsible for user-generated content, including for alleged libel. This extends to administrators of WhatsApp groups, for instance, who could face legal consequences for spreading false news if incidents within their groups are not reported.

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