Through its specialized directorates, IAA is entrusted with the following functions and duties:

• Promote freedom of press and the rights of expression and opinion in different printed, audio, audio-visual and electronic media, according to the Constitution and internation al laws and conventions.
• Publish official news, information and statements and cover official and local national functions and inform local and international public on them transparently.
• Broadcast radio and television programs that consolidate common national values and enhance the spirits of cooperation and fraternity, so as to maintain the tolerant religious ethics and principles.
• Support sustainable development efforts and consecrate the principles of democracy, human rights, reformation and portrayal of the government's foreign policy and its stances in various information media.
• Develop the legislative infrastructure in the fields of press, publications and press and protect copy rights.
• Propose media policies and strategies, and implement them.
• Grant licenses to private press and media establishments, printing companies, publishing and distribution houses and NGOs specialized in media affairs.
• Follow up local and foreign publications circulating in the Kingdom and monitor films and recorded publications in order to ensure that they abide by the law and regulations, and do not violate public order or harm mor als, religions or sects.
• Issue licenses to correspondents of foreign newspapers, magazines, news agencies, radios and satellite TV channels to work in the kingdom and facilitate their missions
• Strengthen cooperation and news exchange with foreign government bodies and media establishments.
• Set up media centers and participate in press conferences, inside and outside the kingdom.
• Launch and organize specialized training and rehabilitation programs for human resources in the fields of press and media.
• Encourage investments in the media sector, in partnership with the private sector and leading foreign media establishments.
• Continue issuance of the (Official Gazette) which is the government's weekly newspaper comprising royal decrees, laws and ministerial regulations in addition to advertising, statements, official communiques, court rules. The official gazette was published for the first time in 1948 under the name of (Official News-Bulletin) before it assumed its present name in 1969.
• Encourage and honor distinctive in various(traditional and electronic) newspapers and media in order to upgrade the media mission reliant upon professionalism and in compliance with Bahraini laws and international conventions.