The Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the state-run news service of the Kingdom of Bahrain, serves as a primary source of information for both domestic and international audiences. Established in 1976, initially as the Gulf News Agency, the BNA operates under the Ministry of Information Affairs and provides news coverage in both Arabic and English.
Contacting the Bahrain News Agency
For inquiries and communication with the BNA, several channels are available. The agency’s main contact number is +973 17 455 400. Specific departments within the BNA can be reached directly. The editorial and correspondents department can be contacted at +973 17 455 455.
Written correspondence should be addressed to:
Ministry of Information Complex
Building 3500 National Charter Highway
Isa Town 840
P.O. Box 253
Manama / Kingdom of Bahrain
Organizational Structure and Affiliations
The BNA is an integral part of Bahrain’s media landscape, functioning as a key component of the Ministry of Information Affairs. Ali bin Mohamed Alrumaihi currently serves as the Minister of Information Affairs, overseeing the agency’s operations. Abdullah Khalil Buhiji holds the position of Director-General, leading the BNA’s day-to-day activities.
Beyond its national role, the BNA actively participates in regional media collaborations. It is a member of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA), a network comprising the national news agencies of 18 Arab countries. This membership facilitates the exchange of information and strengthens media cooperation across the Arab world.
Recent Activities and Services
The BNA continues to evolve its services to meet the changing demands of the media environment. In July 2013, the agency launched “BNA Zaman,” a dedicated service focused on documenting Bahrain’s significant development achievements through photographic documentation. This initiative highlights the BNA’s commitment to showcasing the Kingdom’s progress and milestones.
The agency recently participated in the 25th meeting of the GCC News Agencies Committee, demonstrating its ongoing engagement with regional partners. This participation underscores the BNA’s role in fostering collaboration and information sharing within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Contacting Specific Departments within the Ministry of Information
The Ministry of Information, which oversees the BNA, also provides contact information for other related departments. The Radio and Television department can be reached at 17455550, with a fax number of 17684588 and email address au.tvradio@info.gov.bh. For press and publication inquiries, the contact number is 17454900, with a fax number of 17781414 and email address dma@info.gov.bh.
Individuals interested in advertising on the BNA website can contact the Communication & Marketing Directorate within the Ministry of Information Affairs at +973 17 455 055.
Historical Context
The BNA’s evolution from the Gulf News Agency in 1976 reflects the changing geopolitical landscape and Bahrain’s growing prominence as a regional information hub. The renaming to the Bahrain News Agency in 2001 solidified its identity as the national news agency of the Kingdom. Throughout its history, the BNA has remained committed to providing accurate, timely, and comprehensive news coverage, serving as a vital source of information for both local and international audiences.
