HM King hails journalists on World Press Freedom Day

Manama, May. 2 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has paid tribute to press and media professionals as the world celebrates the World Press Freedom Day under the theme " Power’s Balance: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law". The following is HM King Hamad's message: "We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all journalists, media figures, writers and thinkers for their constructive role in enriching enlightenment and creativity and strengthening the knowledge society within the context of our continuous progress towards consolidating democracy and sustainable development. As we participate in this year's World Press Freedom Day under the theme 'Power’s Balance: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law', we reaffirm our pride in the achievements of our national aspirations to consolidate the rule of law and institutions and encouraging responsible press and media freedoms for nearly two decades. This is in line with the unprecedented support of the National Action Charter and the establishment of modern constitutional monarchy. Freedom of thought, expression and opinion, and mainly press and media freedoms, constitute a fundamental component in our respect for human rights and civil, political, economic and cultural freedoms and an indicator of the progress of our Bahraini society and its openness, tolerance and acceptance of diverse opinions. This freedom is a true translation of our belief that constructive substantive criticism and responsible freedom are a fundamental pillar of reform, modernisation and economic and social progress. Our constitutional and legislative framework provides a protective shield for the freedom of expression, the publication of newspapers and publications, the honest, impartial, objective, safe and independent work by journalists and media personnel, the right to information and statistics from their sources and to convey them to the public within a context of transparency, pluralism and professional, and ethical and social responsibility. The freedom of the press and the media has expanded on the basis of a long history of pioneers of thought and creativity and an integrated national system established by our modern constitution under advanced legislation, an independent and impartial judicial authority that safeguards freedoms and the establishment of justice and human rights institutions that carry out their responsibilities independently and effectively in the protection of human rights. There only restrictions are to ensure they observe professional and ethical standards, uphold the rule of law and respect international human rights charters and covenants. In the context of our vision of development and modernization, we have called for issuing a modern and enlightened law that promotes responsible freedoms in the press and media. The law should also be in line with the tremendous developments in information and communications technology. The esteemed government should also implement the housing project for journalists and the development of a special work structure for media professionals that is commensurate with our appreciation of the nature of their duties and loyalty and their status as key partners in maintaining the security and stability of the country and strengthening our reform process. We express our thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Information Affairs and all its employees for their tangible efforts in cooperating with the National Communication Centre and the Bahrain Journalists Association, in partnership is with the legislative and judiciary branches, human rights, and press organizations in developing the media and communication sector in all areas and aspects. The efforts should also include enhancing the aptitudes of Bahraini media professionals as our true assets on the road to progress and prosperity. We are confident that the continuation of our national achievements requires a responsible free press, an open pluralistic media that safeguards our unity and social cohesion, supports our democratic forward movement, our economic growth and our social responsibilities in motivating young Bahraini men and women to cherish our history and our Gulf and Arab identity and uphold the values of good citizenship and public morals and ethics, to participate effectively and positively in political and public affairs, and preserve our wealth, development and civilization gains. Our confidence in the awareness of our people and their true credibility of their sense of belonging and the commitment of our press, media and human rights institutions to support our reform process is endless. Our reform progress this year enters a new stage as we hold parliamentary and municipal elections for the fifth tine with an effective participation of men and women of our loyal people keen on expressing their opinions and aspirations through civil constitutional means and on electing the most apt to represent them in the Council of Representatives and the municipal councils. On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, and considering the plots and schemes that our country and the peoples of the world have to face and that threaten our security and stability and obstruct our democratic and developmental process, we emphasize that the media and digital platforms, including social media, are not merely channels for disseminating news and opinions. They are influential entities with ever-expanding vocational, ethical, social and legal rights to boost the awareness of society, protect civil peace, disseminate the values of tolerance and moderation and protect young people from extremist and deviant ideas. Freedom has rules and it does not mean the abuse of others, expose their private lives, ruin their reputation or defame them. It does not mean menacing national security or public order through false news, rumors, sectarian or racist views or provocative calls for sabotage and terrorism. And it is not the violation of society's values, ethics and morals. The international community must play an active role in deepening the commitment to the ethics and values of expressing opinion, as affirmed by religious teachings and international laws and covenants in orderto protect the rights of our societies to security and peace. Based on our belief in the universality of human rights and its indivisibility, we place our national capacities in the service of humanity and extend bridges of communication and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions through our support and welcome of the partnership between the King Hamad International Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and the local and international media. We want to consolidate noble human values that stem from our tolerant Islamic law, our deep-rooted civilization, and our honourable history in spreading tolerance, pluralism and mutual respect. We also express our pride and gratification in the progress made by our Arab nation in implementing our proposal to establish the Arab Court for Human Rights, based in Manama, as a regional and international beacon for justice, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the right to information and freedom of opinion and expression, within the framework of the basic components of society and in accordance with the Arab Charter on Human Rights. , At the end of our message, free and responsible press will remain the top priority of our reform process as an inherent human right, an indication of the vitality of our democratic experience and a true reflection of reality and its challenges. A free and responsible press reflects the pride of our loyal people with the blessings of safety and decent living and adherence to the values of compassion and peace, to their Arab and Islamic identity and to their hopes and aspirations. Such a press actively participates in the accomplishment of their achievements in various political, economic, social and cultural fields. May God help us all for the sake of our beloved homeland and loved people and to consolidate the foundations of the modern civil democratic state as we moved forward towards more pioneering achievements in the Kingdom of compassion, justice, tolerance and humanity."