Information minister calls for enhancing GCC media action

Abu Dhabi, May 21 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al-Rumaihi said Bahrain and the UAE share similar stances on the need to strengthen their deep-rooted fraternal relations, enhance the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) progress and consolidate joint Arab action to preserve the Arab identity and safeguard Arab national security. While visiting the UAE and meeting the UAE State Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Media Council (NMC), Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, the minister lauded the UAE’s firm stances in support of the security and stability of Bahrain and the GCC. He also praised the UAE’s support for Bahrain’s development and progress, which, he said, reflected the depth of the relations binding the two brotherly countries, strengthened under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. The two sides reviewed ways to enhance media cooperation through exchanging news and technical and human expertise to cope with the global developments in the fields of digital media and ICT, supporting joint GCC projects in the audio-visual media, coordinating in the external media and news agencies and developing national competencies to boost the two countries’ landmark economic, social and civilisational achievements. Al-Rumaihi affirmed the two countries’ shared keenness on activating the role of mass media in supporting nation-building and sustainable development, deepening GCC citizenship, preserving the Arab and Islamic values and fundamentals of the GCC states and their peoples. Such steps can be achieved by consolidating the values of tolerance, peace and moderation, fortifying GCC countries against local and foreign threats and highlighting their development achievements and landmark contributions to regional security and peace as well as to dialogue among religions, cultures and civilisations. The minister hailed the two brotherly countries’ similar visions on the need to update the Arab Media Strategy and activate it with regard to supporting sustainable development, countering extremism and terrorism and taking unified actions to confront counter media campaigns statged by offensive satellite channels that incite sedition and violence. Dr Al-Jaber expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the minister for his his interest in consolidating media cooperation and exchanging expertise with the GCC, and endeavour to enhance joint Arab media action.