Information minister praises private sector support to press

Manama, May 17 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al-Rumaihi has lauded the role of the private sector and business families, and described them as basic partners in developing the Bahraini Press, upgrading the media message and its role in strengthening human ties among members of the same society and pushing the sustainable economic and social development forward during the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. While participating in a ceremony held by the Yussef bin Ahmed Kanoo Family marking the Bahrain Press Day, in the presence of editors-in-chief of local newspapers and a number of journalists, the minister valued highly the contributions of the Kanoo family and other deep-rooted Bahraini families to supporting the media, the Press, as well as social, cultural and sport activities, which, he said, embodies the genuine values of love, tolerance, communication and fraternity prevailing in the Bahraini society within the framework of belonging to the nation and loyalty to its leadership. Al-Rumaihi asserted that the private sector is the main engine for the Bahraini Press progress and diversity amid the kingdom's democratic openness, cultural and intellectual pluralism, economic freedom and the wide scope of freedom of expression which is guaranteed by the Constitution, the Law and press and media codes of honour, under HM the King's reform and civilisational project. The minister also affirmed that the Press in flourishing thanks to the support of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. The minister pointed out that within the positive atmosphere prevailing in the kingdom, there are seven daily newspapers, 15 weekly newspapers and magazines, 38 monthly magazines, dozens of media offices and companies, as well as the progress of new media, which, he said, explains the kingdom's topping Arab countries in the ICT Development Index according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)'s report for 2015, and the Economic Freedom Index of the US Heritage Foundation. Dignitary Mubarak Jassim Kanoo expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Information Affairs Minister for attending the annual event held by his family on the Bahrain Press day, commending his efforts to develop the Bahraini Press and media. He extended, on behalf of the Kanoo Family, utmost congratulations to the Press and media community in Bahrain, and thanked them for raising national issues, promoting common national values and supporting the kingdom's continuous development achievements and reforms.