Al-Wasat closed down, its senior journalists forced to resign

Al-Wasat, an opposition newspaper founded in 2002, was closed by the information ministry and access to its website was blocked after state TV accused it of trying to harm Bahrain’s stability and security and of disseminating false information that undermined the country’s international image and reputation. It was allowed to resume publishing the next day but three of its most senior journalists – editor Mansour Al-Jamari, managing editor Walid Nouihid and local news editor Aqil Mirza – were forced to resign. The board of directors announced the appointment of Abidily Al-Abidily to replace Jamari as editor.