The Use of the Internet and the Practice of Journalism in Bahrain

This paper seeks to present the most important results of a field study on the role of using the Internet in enhancing the journalistic assignments in the Kingdom of Bahrain,in accelerating the production and dissemination of news,and in creating new opportunities for communication and interaction with the public.The study also examines Bahraini journalists’perceptions of the changes in their journalistic practice and the positive and negative effects of the Internet on the journalist’s job.In addition,the study examines the possible changes that the Internet makes in relation to the values and ethics of the press.The results showed that the use of the Internet in the press had a positive impact on journalistic practice.Bahraini journalists tend to adopt and use it in their day-to-day work,although they are cautious about the unreliability of news and information on the Internet,their awareness of increased accountability before the public,and their belief in the negative role that the Internet can play in sacrificing accuracy for speed.