Bahraini newspapers and news from Manama

In Bahrain, news is read in Arabic in Akhbar Al Khaleej, Al Ayam or Al Bilad, and in English in Gulf Daily News and News of Bahrain, complemented by the BNA agency and public television, most of them free to access online.

A long press tradition in the Gulf

Bahrain was among the first Gulf countries to have newspapers, as early as the 1930s in Manama. Akhbar Al Khaleej, founded in 1976, is today the oldest Arabic-language daily still in print, followed by Al Ayam, launched in 1989.

Akhbar Al Khaleej, Al Ayam and Al Bilad

These three Arabic dailies form the core of the Manama press. They cover domestic politics, the royal family, relations with Saudi Arabia and the economy, with lines broadly close to official positions and some differences of tone between them.

Why English matters so much in Manama

With a large expatriate population from India, the Philippines and Europe, English holds an important place. Gulf Daily News, founded in 1978, and the News of Bahrain site serve these readers, as does the magazine Bahrain This Week.

Muharraq, Riffa and local life

As a small archipelago, Bahrain has no regional press in the strict sense. National dailies nonetheless devote pages to the governorates, to Muharraq, Riffa or Isa Town, to municipal councils and to the urban projects reshaping the coastline.

Reading Bahrain on your phone

Manama dailies offer apps and PDF editions, and push their headlines on Instagram and X, both heavily used in the kingdom. Local information accounts also relay traffic, weather and administrative announcements in real time for residents.

BNA, the kingdom's news agency

The Bahrain News Agency, BNA, publishes royal decisions, government statements and official visits in Arabic and English. It is the reference for verifying an appointment, a decree or the calendar of public holidays before you share it.

Bahrain TV and public radio

The Ministry of Information oversees Bahrain TV and national radio, which broadcast news in Arabic and programmes in English. Part of the output is available live online and on the ministry's video platforms for viewers abroad.

Bahraini voices abroad

Online outlets run from abroad, such as Bahrain Mirror, offer an opposition perspective. To place these voices, also consult Saudi newspapers, the press of Qatar and the regional selection of Arab media online.

Islamic finance and the Sakhir Grand Prix

As a Gulf financial centre, Bahrain hosts many Islamic banks, followed by the business pages of Gulf Daily News and Al Ayam. In sport, the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Sakhir and national football dominate the sports sections.

The context for press freedom

Since the events of 2011, the media environment has tightened, and the daily Al Wasat stopped publishing in 2017 after a suspension. Current newspapers operate under licence from the Ministry of Information, which is worth keeping in mind as you read.

Free access and cross-checking

Most Bahraini newspapers are free online, with flip-through digital editions. To cross-check a regional story, compare the Manama press with that of Kuwait and international agencies, especially on diplomatic or security matters.

Which English-language daily to choose?

Gulf Daily News remains the best-known English title, printed in Manama since 1978. News of Bahrain focuses more on digital and social media, while Bahrain This Week leans towards leisure, culture and what to do around the island.

How to follow news from Bahrain

1. Pick an Arabic daily such as Akhbar Al Khaleej and an English title such as Gulf Daily News.
2. Check official decisions and appointments on the BNA, available in Arabic and English.
3. Follow the Instagram or X accounts of Manama newspapers for the day's announcements.
4. Watch Bahrain TV live for major events such as National Day or the Sakhir Grand Prix.
5. Compare national newspapers with diaspora media and international agencies on political topics.

Access and subscriptions for the Bahraini press

Reference points on Bahrain's media

• Languages: Arabic for national dailies, English for a large share of the media
• News agency: BNA, Bahrain News Agency
• Public broadcasting: Bahrain TV and national radio, under the Ministry of Information
• Oldest daily: Akhbar Al Khaleej; English title: Gulf Daily News
• Time zone: UTC+3, no daylight saving
• Currency: Bahraini dinar (BHD)

What to avoid when reading the Bahraini press

• Confusing Bahrain's Al Watan with the dailies of the same name published in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman.
• Presenting an Al Wasat article as recent, when that newspaper has not appeared since 2017.
• Reading public media and opposition sites based abroad without taking their respective positions into account.
• Passing on a public holiday or school closure announcement from an unofficial account without checking it on the BNA.

Frequent questions about Bahrain's newspapers