National Press Club Concerned About Reporters Arrested in Bahrain

The National Press Club is concerned about reports that four American journalists have been arrested in Bahrain.

The journalists were reportedly in Bahrain covering the fifth anniversary of protests that Bahrain's government violently suppressed. They were taken into custody Feb. 14, reports indicate.

Bahraini officials have accused the journalists of providing "false information that they were tourists," and have alleged that one of the journalists attacked police. A spokesperson for the family of one of the journalists, Anna Therese Day, denied any possibility that the journalists were doing anything other than reporting.

Day is a freelance journalist who has contributed to The Huffington Post, among other publications.

"We are closely tracking this situation and are awaiting more information on the well-being of the American journalists," said Thomas Burr, National Press Club president. "In the meantime, we call on the Bahraini government to respect the universal right of freedom of expression. The National Press Club will always fight for the freedom of journalists doing their job, wherever they are in the world."

Bahrain ranked 163rd out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2015 press freedom index. In addition to the four Americans just arrested, there are 12 professional and amateur journalists currently detained in Bahrain, according to RWB.

Based in Washington, D.C., the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. Through its Press Freedom Committee, the club defends transparency and free expression worldwide.

Contact:
John M. Donnelly--chairman, NPC Press Freedom Committee: [email protected]; 202 746 6020