HM the King praises media personnel

Manama, Feb. 23 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today received, in presence of HRH the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, HM the King's Personal Representative and Chairman of the High Authority for Information and Communication HH Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa. HM the King also received the Minister of Information and Parliament Affairs, editors-in-chief of the local newspapers, and senior officials and staff from the ministry. HM the King delivered a speech in which he congratulated the audience on the 15th Anniversary of the National Action Charter which Bahrain has celebrated recently. HM King Hamad voiced utmost appreciation of the responsible official and public attitudes towards the cherished national occasion, lauding the "pioneering role of the Bahraini media and its patriotic messages in supporting the national reform and modernisation process." "In this context, we affirm the magnitude of the responsibility entrusted to the media, especially at a time in which we are facing blatant foreign ambitions that pose a threat to the security and stability of the Arabian Gulf region," HM the King said. "This recurrent interference will only stimulate our steadfast resolve to move forward on the path of the union of our brotherly countries as an option that reinforces our unity, strengthens our stances and fulfills the aspirations of our united peoples," HM the King Hamad added. HM the King voiced pride in the role of national media to highlight the kingdom's milestone achievements in various fields. "We also value highly the endeavors of the Information Affairs Ministry's personnel who spare no effort to project the honourable image of Bahrain and upgrade its status under all circumstances," HM the King said, thanking the staff for their efforts to cover the recent national occasions celebrated by the kingdom, including the National Day, the Accession Day, the Commemoration Day, the Bahrain Defence Force Day, the Anniversary of the National Action Charter and Bahraini Women's Day. "You performed your patriotic duty with excellence and dedication, and we than you," HM the King told the audience. "We confirm for everyone our interest and follow up on what is raised in the media," he said, highlighting the importance of constructive criticism in ensuring the continuity of the reforms. In his speech, Information and Parliament Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi extended, on behalf of the ministry, sincere thanks and deep appreciation to HM King Hamad for the kind audience, stressing that the royal kind gesture reflected HM the King's appreciation of the media personnel. "When you launched your pioneering Reform Project, you confirmed the importance of opinion, freedom of expression and responsible stances. You affirmed that work would continue to develop the media sector and complete its tools. A lot has been done in this regard. We are proud of what has been achieved so far, and we still aspire for more," he said, stressing that the media work is a translation of the royal visions and beliefs in the importance of the media in preserving national accomplishments and defending the nation. The minister affirmed that the advanced status enjoyed by Bahraini media personnel today was the fruitful outcome of HM the King's support and the constant interest of Bahraini leaders, who have, throughout history, appreciated the role of the media, developed it and encouraged its affiliates. "We recall with pride those visions which were passed by the successive generation and established the general framework for disciplined freedom and responsible development," he said, citing the directives of the late HM Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who said while inaugurating the Bahrain Wireless Radio in 1940 that the radio would bolster Bahrain's relations with its Arab neighbours. The minister also recalled the directives issued by the late HM Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa while opening Bahrain Radio in 1955 who said that the Radio would carry Bahrain's words to the Arab and Islamic worlds and preserve its religious and intellectual ties with them. History will also preserve the late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa's valuable visions to develop the media in Bahrain and call for the media personnel to clarify the facts, Al Hammadi added. The minister asserted that the leadership's historic visions and directives would remain a source of inspiration for the media personnel in Bahrain. He affirmed that the media would continue to play its role in defending the nation, preserving hard-won achievements and authentic values and countering attempts to undermine the country's sovereignty and smear its reputation. It will also remain loyal to the leadership and people, and continue playing its role in protecting the GCC and Arab security within a unified vision to deal with events and challenges, he added. Al-Hammadi valued highly HM the King's unlimited support to the media sector, pledging the media personnel, inspired by the royal directives, would continue shouldering their patriotic responsibilities. HM King Hamad then hosted a lunch banquet in honour of the media personnel. Then, those present greeted HM King Hamad, HRH the Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince.