Manama: A Tel Aviv-based US journalist working for Qatari channel Al Jazeera has attempted to enter Bahrain illegally, the Ministry of Information Affairs has said.
The journalist, a correspondent for Al Jazeera in Iraq and Israel, arrived in Bahrain without having applied for a media visa and without possessing an invitation from the organisers of the event he was reportedly planning to cover, the spokesperson said.
He added the ministry applied the provisions of the law in such cases and banned the journalist from entering the kingdom.
“The Ministry of Information Affairs is fully aware of the true objectives of such a repeated and irresponsible act by the Qatari channel ... which seeks to incite public opinion and make claims that do not reflect the reality on the ground. The ministry calls upon the regional and international media to abide by the laws and regulations if they truly want to cover events and activities held in Bahrain,” the spokesperson said.
“The ministry reiterates that it welcomes all media to cover various events and activities held in Bahrain provided they comply with the laws regulating the work of the media in the kingdom.”
Journalists on working trips to Bahrain, regardless of their nationality, are required to apply for an online media visa before their arrival in the kingdom.
