Bahrain the target of malicious Qatari-run social media

Qatari-run social media accounts have been used to target Bahrain’s national interests and attempt to stoke tensions with its neighbours, the Bahraini Interior Ministry says.

The campaign sought to harm public opinion, drive a wedge between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and damage Bahrain’s economy by circulating false information using social media accounts, the ministry said.

It also tried to instigate disturbances, swing public opinion, incite hatred and jeopardise coming parliamentary elections by undermining issues such as the new Bahraini pension scheme.

“In general, these threats constitute a purposeful assault against the citizens although they are immune to the risks,” the ministry said, according to Bahrain News Agency, BNA.

“Citizens have proven throughout history their firm stand on national values thanks to their awareness and sincere determination to foil all attempts targeting security and social peace.”

The Bahraini Interior Ministry said it would continue to monitor social media accounts that breached the law.

“Legal action has also been taken in this regard,” the ministry said.

It also urged the public to treat suspect accounts with caution, only take information from official sources and to avoid recirculating malicious news, to protect Bahrain.

The ministry said it would always protect the people’s rights and their freedom of expression, but said Bahraini citizens had to also assume responsibility and come together to counter the dangers posed by malicious social media claims.