BJA chief hails leadership's support to press

Manama, May 6 (BNA): Chairman of the Bahrain Journalists’ Association (BJA) Moanes Al-Mardi has extended utmost thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, for their unwavering support to freedoms of opinion and expression, as well as to press personnel. In a statement on the Bahrain Press Day, BJA chief said the Kingdom of Bahrain is reaping the fruit of the leadership’s personal, institutional and legislative interest in the press, in particular, and the freedoms of opinion and expression, in general, being one of the key pillars of the Reform Project launched by HM the King to augur a new era of responsible, prosperous and open press. The leadership has always backed freedoms of press, opinion and expression out of its belief in the importance of fair and impartial opinions and free national journalists in boosting the nation-building and development process, Al-Mardi said, calling on Bahraini journalists to place the national interests above all others as words and pens have wide ranging influence. "Competent journalists and media personnel are the eye of the nation," he said. He affirmed that HM the King’s support and the existing highly qualified press competencies have resulted in an advanced press renaissance in the kingdom that has become a role model for patriotism and responsibility. BJA Chairman praised HRH Premier’s constant support to journalists and keenness to meet them and motivate them to exert more efforts to enhance the kingdom’s sustainable development march and cement national unity and cohesion. Al Mardi pointed out that free press is one of distinctive features of Bahrain’s democratic experience, and contributed effectively to protecting the kingdom’s landmark achievements during HM King Hamad’s prosperous era. The press and media personnel have lived up to the political leadership’s expectations as they enriched the national scene with their creative work, raised public awareness and enlightened the public about the domestic and external challenges and ways to overcome them wisely and effectively, he added. He stressed that existing constitutional and legislative infrastructure have been the main factors that contributed to boosting press freedom in Bahrain, explaining that the Constitution, the National Action Charter and the Press Law represent the regulatory framework that paved the way for the press to flourish. He stressed that "responsible" press ensured protection for journalists and society alike, and increased the journalists’ ability to cover all events, especially in light of HM the King’s directives to approve an enlightened and modern press freedom law. Al-Mardi emphasised that the Bahrain Journalists’ Association will remain committed to its approach of providing all means to upgrade press work, extending bridges of cooperation with all and maintain the existing free, independent and pluralistic press environment. He extended sincere congratulations to all media and press personnel on the Bahrain Press Day, wishing them further success.