Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE GOVERNMENT OF Bahrain intends to take legal action against The Independent newspaper over its coverage of protests taking part in the country.
Bahrain has hired a UK-based law firm to pursue The Independent, after accusing the newspaper of orchestrating ”a defamatory and premeditated media campaign” against both it and Saudi Arabia. The Independent’s award-winning war correspondent Robert Fisk has been singled out as one of the main agents who had failed “to abide by professional impartiality and credibility” and displayed ”one-sided news-coverage and reports” according to Bahrain, reports the Guardian.
Bahrain’s Information Affairs Authority tweeted last night: “IAA takes legal action against columnist Robert Fisk and The Independent (UK) for repeated falsification of facts and publication of misinformation”.
Fisk penned an article that criticised the Bahraini government for placing 48 surgeons on trial, which the government has decried as as being “based on slanderous hearsay”, the Independent reports. Fisk, 64, accused the country’s ruling Khalifa family of conducting an “an utterly fraudulent trial” of medical personnel who had treated protesters injured after government forces opened fire on them. The doctors, surgeons and nurses have been accused of stockpiling weapons and organising demonstrations.
Fisk end his piece by saying: “Bahrain is no longer the kingdom of the Khalifas. It has become a Saudi palatinate, a confederated province of Saudi Arabia, a pocket-size weasel state from which all journalists should in future use the dateline: Manama, Occupied Bahrain.”
The Independent has not yet made a reply to the accusations.
Speaking to Journalism.co.uk, media law consultant David Banks said that The Independent would have a good case, as it could potentially cite the Reynolds defence - which allows journalists to defend defamatory comments made if there is a clear public interest in the allegations raised.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Wow. Nature is an unforgiving killer. Wind speeds over 200mph it would have destroyed us. I can only imagine the horror the people there are living though
Nature?? Yeah right more like Haarp!
Wonderful people in the Philippines. Hope this disaster might lead to better conditions in the long run for the poor people there. The country has so much potential.
‘Hope’, how about sending some money
From 100 dead to expected 10,000 in the space of a few hours , puts a lot of things into perspective.
Doesn’t it just, I’m sitting here with my laptop in my name dry house and it is pouring rain outside and I feel so lucky to be safe with my little family. Sending positive thoughts to those caught in the typhoon and its aftermath.
*delete* name from above
Red Cross Ireland are accepting donations for people in the Philippines and you can direct your money to go there via this link http://www.redcross.ie/fundraising/donate-now/ I’d imagine Médecins Sans Frontières will also deploy there so you can donate here if you would prefer to donate to them https://www.msf.ie/cart/checkout
Alternatively If you want the funds to go directly to the people, David Joyce (Irish) is on the ground in the Philippines near Malapascua where they run a diving school. They are collecting funds / aid and distributing it as fast as possible. Please visit their FB page https://www.facebook.com/evolutiondivingmalapascua or http://evolution.com.ph if you feel you are in a position to donate. Funds will go directly to help those in need. No 3rd party involved. Direct to those who live hand in hand with their neighbors.
good luck to the Plan Ireland people. sounds like a heroic job theyre doing. goin to make a donation tomorrow from NZ.
have your say