A bit of bite as well as bark

News has come through from Middle East neighbour, Bahrain, that one of the Arabic daily newspapers - Akhbar Al Khaleej - has been suspended "until further notice" for reasons relating to the country's press law. The suspension was issued minutes before today's paper went to press.

With speculation ongoing in the UAE about the nature and impact of our own media law, this is certainly an indication that governments in this region are willing to take action. The offence committed by Akhbar Al Khaleej remains undisclosed - and the rumour mill seems slow in gathering pace this morning - but it will be interesting to find out what has happened.

As one of my colleagues said on circulating the news: "this shows how Government laws on the media certainly have some bite along with their bark"