Premier honours winners of Khalifa bin Salman Press Award

Manama, May 31 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa paid tribute today to the journalists in Bahrain, praising their noble national role in defending the kingdom and contributing to its growth and prosperity. He was speaking as he patronised at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel today a celebration marking Bahrain Press Day during which winners of the first edition of Khalifa bin Salman Press Award were honoured. HRH the Premier lauded the patriotic stance of the journalists in Bahrain and their diligent efforts to foil all plots against the kingdom. He stressed that the press has been able for decades to defend national issues and promote Bahrain's security and stability. He commended the remarkable contribution of successive generations of creative journalists to laying the basis of a national press that is committed to the ethics of the profession. He said honouring the journalists is a renewed expression of respect to the press and its outstanding national role in highlighting the real image of Bahrain and its growth at all levels. He also stressed the big strides made by Bahrain press thanks to the climate of openness and freedom of expression fostered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. HRH the Prime Minister congratulated the prize laureates, wishing them more success. He expressed hope the award would serve as an incentive for the media and press staff to further click on their creativity potentials and enrich the press field in Bahrain. He described the press as the mirror of any civilised community and a key player in promoting noble values. He noted that the press is a source of inspiration to meet citizens' aspirations, affirming the big responsibility of journalists in preserving national unity and backing development amid security and economic challenges facing the region and the whole world. HRH the Premier thanked the Information Ministry and the award jury for their efforts in assessing the participating works and deciding the winners. On his part, Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Rumaihi extended heartfelt thanks and gratitude to HRH the Prime Minister for patronising the ceremony which, he said, reflects unwavering support to the press and media sector and keenness on responsible freedom of expression. He voiced the press and media community's pride in HRH the Premier's contributions to building the modern civil state and boosting Bahrain's regional and international standing in the prosperous era of HM the King. The Information Minister commended HRH the Prime Minister's statesmanship and visionary policies, stressing that Khalifa bin Salman Press Award is named after an Arab and GCC leader who devoted his life to the service of his people and nation. He also lauded HRH the Premier's continuous directives to provide every support and care for the journalists and answer their queries. He pointed out instability, chaos and sectarian strife in some Arab countries due to foreign interference and attempts to reproduce foreign systems. He also reiterated confidence in Bahrain's ability to bring about more press and media achievements, pledging commitment to the directives of HRH the Prime Minister to continue the development programmes of the media field in Bahrain. The Information Minister stressed keenness of the national media to play its pivotal role in protecting national security, cementing GCC ties and promoting security and stability according to a unified GCC media vision that is capable of consolidating the GCC citizenship, dealing with regional and international events effectively, fast-tracking the move towards the Gulf union and promoting pan-Arab media work and Islamic solidarity. HRH the Prime Minister honoured the winners of Khalifa bin Salman Press Award. They are Dr. Ibrahim Al Shaikh from Akhbar Al-Khaleej, Sadaq Al Halwaji from Al-Wasat newspaper, Ali Al Qemish from Al-Ayam newspaper and Abdulrahman Tulifat from Bahrain News Agency (BNA). Then, HRH the Premier toured the associated photo gallery on the history of the press in Bahrain.