Nation Conversations: Nada Alwadi on Bahrain’s Government Crackdown

Nation Conversations: Nada Alwadi on Bahrain’s Government Crackdown

Nation Conversations: Nada Alwadi on Bahrain’s Government Crackdown

During her time reporting on the protest movement, Alwadi was detained by authorities in Bahrain and forced to sign a statement saying that she wouldn’t write about or engage in political activities.

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Pocket

Since the uprisings in Bahrain began this spring, the government and its media outlets have painted the protesters as violent thugs. But in this Nation Conversation, Nada Alwadi, a journalist from Bahrain, describes the ways reporters were blocked from providing the world with an accurate portrayal of the protests. "Journalists were there during everything," she said. The government "tried so hard to eliminate their chances to talk about it. [The journalists] were either fired from their jobs (I was fired) or they left."

Alwadi, who recently relocated to Washington, DC, was detained by authorities in Bahrain in April while reporting on the protest movement and was forced to sign a statement saying that she wouldn’t write on or engage in political activities. "It’s a media blackout," she said. "Somehow there is only one voice, one side of the story. That is what the authorities want." Alwadi has since founded the Bahrain Press Association to counter the government’s efforts to shut down media dissent.

For more on the government repression in Bahrain, read Scheherezade Faramarzi’s article in this week’s special issue of The Nation.

Subscribe to Nation Conversations of iTunes for exclusive audio of Nation forums, events, seminars and salons.

—Carrie Battan

We need your support

What’s at stake this November is the future of our democracy. Yet Nation readers know the fight for justice, equity, and peace doesn’t stop in November. Change doesn’t happen overnight. We need sustained, fearless journalism to advocate for bold ideas, expose corruption, defend our democracy, secure our bodily rights, promote peace, and protect the environment.

This month, we’re calling on you to give a monthly donation to support The Nation’s independent journalism. If you’ve read this far, I know you value our journalism that speaks truth to power in a way corporate-owned media never can. The most effective way to support The Nation is by becoming a monthly donor; this will provide us with a reliable funding base.

In the coming months, our writers will be working to bring you what you need to know—from John Nichols on the election, Elie Mystal on justice and injustice, Chris Lehmann’s reporting from inside the beltway, Joan Walsh with insightful political analysis, Jeet Heer’s crackling wit, and Amy Littlefield on the front lines of the fight for abortion access. For as little as $10 a month, you can empower our dedicated writers, editors, and fact checkers to report deeply on the most critical issues of our day.

Set up a monthly recurring donation today and join the committed community of readers who make our journalism possible for the long haul. For nearly 160 years, The Nation has stood for truth and justice—can you help us thrive for 160 more?

Onwards,
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Ad Policy
x