Gulf media role in protecting security highlighted

Manama, Sep. 4 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi called for activating the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s press and media to maintain the Gulf cultural and civilizational identity, protect its national security, unity and cohesion,and to promote the progress towards comprehensive development and the Gulf Union. The minister today received GCC Press Association (GPA)'s Executive Director Fareed Ahmed Hassan and Board members Isa Al-Shayji and Mohammed Al-Wa'eel. Al-Romaihi pointed out Bahrain's support for the GPA activities since its inception to highlight the aspirations of the Gulf media and press. He noted the need for bolstering cooperation among the Gulf press institutions and authorities, exchanging expertise and staging training courses and joint activities on upgrading the the aptitudes of media professionals enhancing the messages of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, safeguarding national unity, and addressing the calls for sectarian instigation, hatred, violence and terrorism. He underlined the ministry's keenness to activate the joint work strategy in cooperation with the Gulf media institutions through the support of "This is the Gulf Radio" station and the development of the activities of the Joint Gulf Programme Production Institution and Gulf Radio and TV. In addition to organizing the Gulf Radio and TV festival and coordinating the external Gulf media action in the interest of the GCC countries and highlighting their achievements in regional and international forums. The GPA's delegation lauded the minister's interest in boosting the joint Gulf media progress and Bahrain's efforts to promote the GPA's activities and attaining its goals in respect of enhancing cooperation among Gulf press institutions and authorities.