ID :
365810
Sun, 05/03/2015 - 00:38
Auther :

Information Minister pays tribute to HM King

Manama, May.2 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdurrahman Al-Hammadi today paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, hailing unwavering royal support to the press and media freedom. He hailed royal directives to issue a cadre which reflects the vital role of the media personnel, pass a modern media law and provide decent housing for journalists and media personnel. The minister was speaking on the eve of the World Press Freedom Day, being held this year under the theme "Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, and Media Safety in the Digital Age". He hailed Bahrain’s landmark strides under the reform project initiated by HM the King, citing the quantum leap in guaranteed rights and press freedom ever since the National Action Charter was endorsed in 2001, a milestone which consolidated the status of Bahrain as state of law and institutions. Al-Hammadi underlined the atmosphere of freedom and independence in which journalists fulfill their duties and hailed the boom in publications in the prosperous era of HM the King, citing 22 daily and weekly newspapers and 38 monthly magazines in particular. He paid tribute to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, hailing their keenness on promoting a free, responsible and pluralistic media environment. He also commended the role of Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) for representing journalists and defending their rights, hailing the efforts local newspapers and civil society institutions concerned with media affairs. He underlined the crucial role of journalists and columnists for addressing national issues, urging them to observe accuracy, probity and objectivity, promote the values of tolerance and avoid sectarian instigation, incitement on hatred and encroachment on others’ rights. He revealed that press and media pioneers would be honoured on the Bahrain Press Day, which falls on May7, in recognition of their efforts to enlighten the public opinion and disseminate national values. He announced that work would be done in line with the royal directives to promulgate a media cadre and stressed keenness on providing decent housing for journalists and media staff, pledging to continue national efforts to pass a modern and enlightened law on media and communication. He pointed out that the new draft law on the media would engage the private sector to take part in developing the information sector, taking into account latest trends, adding that the draft legislation would be referred to the legislative branch of government after consultation with civil society institutions.

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