Tighter supervision of publications sought

Manama : An MP has yesterday called for more supervision on “indecent” publications and other visual media materials entering Bahrain.

MP Jamal Dawood warned of several publications and visual media that contained “sexual contents” that are being circulated in Bahrain.

While addressing the Representatives’ House during its weekly meeting yesterday, Dawood called for hiring more inspectors at the Information Affairs Ministry to curb such phenomena.

The MP’s statements came while discussing the reply of Information Affairs Minister Ali Al Romaihi to his inquiries on the procedures and efforts taken by the ministry to combat practices, habits and materials that are “alien” to the traditions of the conservative Bahraini society.

Dawood stressed in his speech saying, “We must protect our youth from such threats. These materials should be banned and more official supervision must be implemented. We must adhere to the Islamic identity and culture of Bahrain.”

“There are more than 80 cinema screens in the country that plays some scenes with sexual and indecent content. This phenomenon has dangerous effects on our children,” Dawood added.

Al Romaihi said in his reply to the MP, “The ministry continues to address unhealthy social phenomena, including negative attitudes and practices that are alien to the Bahraini society.”

He highlighted the ministry’s continuous efforts in protecting the community from publications that are incompatible with customs and traditions and sow seeds of discord.

The minister called for concerted community efforts to fight alien attitudes and practices, stressing the significance of a social commitment to protecting the society and the youth.

Al Romaihi said that the ministry did not present a development strategy, but succeeded in achieving concrete results mainly in the development of Bahrain. He added that media required regular development and updating every six months, which made planning a five-year strategy highly difficult. The minister also confirmed that there were contacts with the Civil Service Bureau to create new opportunities to recruit inspectors to help deal with the increasing number of publications that contain ideas contrary to the local customs, traditions and religion and incite sedition.