State Minister for Communication Affairs, Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, held talks with head of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Chief Executives of operating communication companies in Bahrain (Batelco, Zain, VIVA, Menatelecom) and representatives of relevant government bodies.
He stressed the need for the communication companies in Bahrain to speed up carrying out the regulations of censoring websites and forums instigating violence and terror acts, in line with the recommendations of the National Assembly to activate legal measures against anyone who misuses the communication systems to tamper with Bahrain’s security and stability.
He directed TRA to enforce the law on companies that show laxity in implementing legal procedures regarding websites, forums and social networking systems that tamper with the kingdom’s security and stability by instigating violence, anarchy and terrorism.
He said that it has been agreed to set up a joint team between the State Ministry for Communication Affairs and the communication companies that works round the clock to monitor and track down websites, forums and social networking systems inciting violence and terrorism.
He affirmed that the State Ministry for Communication Affairs will take the necessary legal measures against those criminal websites, urging citizens to report them.
He also called on the communication companies to take measures against messages sent from abroad to citizens instigating violence.
He pointed out key measures taken recently by the State Ministry for Communication Affairs to carry out the directives of the cabinet and the recommendations of the National Assembly, including creating a free hotline (8000885) and an e-mail (hotline@mosc.gov.bh).