HRH Premier: Journalism plays key role in backing development

Manama, May 1 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman a Khalifa underlined that the fast-paced changes and challenges in the region and the world mean that the journalists and media people have a major responsibility in protecting the integrity of their profession and entrenching the role of the press in marshaling the capabilities of societies and prompting them toward progress. His Highness stressed that the press, with its strong and effective role in sharping and directing international public opinion, is one of the foundations for ensuring peace and stability, and in containing and settling conflicts, promoting the spirit of cooperation among states and societies, and pooling their energies to focus on the common humanitarian objectives the international community shares, led by sustainable development. His Highness said: “The noble mission entrusted to journalism should be directed to serving nations and to the development of societies, and that the performance of journalism should be characterised by the values of objectivity and sobriety which represent the cornerstone in the honour codes of journalistic endeavours.” His Highness called on the journalists and media people to devote more attention to the issues of development, in such a way as to be in the lead of the benevolent efforts and endeavours on the international scale in this connection, and to ensure that the voice of journalism is heard clearly in everything that serves the preservation of the security and stability of nations, and that journalism should confront with everything it can the campaigns of lies and disinformation that seek to promote divisiveness and splits among peoples and societies. His Highness emphasised these points in a message to the world on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day which is observed on Friday (May 3) and organised this year under the motto of "Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation." He said that the important role of the press and the media in enhancing the awareness of peoples and societies should be enhanced and strengthened to keep pace with the surge the world is witnessing in the domains of information and communications. He added this requires immunising the journalistic profession against all impurities that might undermine its noble values. His Highness stressed that as much as World Press Freedom Day is an international celebration, it also provides an opportunity for instilling in the new generations of journalists the sublime principles of the journalistic profession in such a way as to enhance the value of journalistic work and makes it more trustworthy. His Highness said: "The press has been and will always be a solid fortress for ensuring security and stability as long as it is based on responsibility and the elite values of journalistic work, particularly since we are living in a world in which many areas witness a state of disorderliness in the circulation of information. His Highness added that information moves without restrictions in today's world and might consequently contribute to stoking conflicts and fanning sedition inside nations. He said this requires more alertness on the part of journalism to become more capable of building a public opinion that believes in the importance of the cohesion of the national fabric as a fence against societies and states sliding towards chaos and ruin. His Highness noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain has long believed in the value and contribution of journalism as a locative for society's progress. He said it always sought and still seeks to ensure the prerequisites for an environment that enables journalism to perform its vital role in this domain. His Highness said that the way His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa has sponsored and supported journalism, and His Majesty's belief in its patriotic role, were the most important supporters of the progress attained by the Bahraini press on the basis of constitutional and legal foundations that bolstered the climate of the freedom of opinion and expression. His Royal Highness he Prime Minister said that throughout its long history the Bahraini press has had an important role in bolstering the process of construction and progress, defending across the consecutive generations, with all devotion and sense of responsibility, the causes of the homeland and the quest to ensure its security and stability. His Highness recalled with abundant cherishment Bahrain's pioneering journalists and media people and their efforts in establishing the foundations on which the pillars of the Bahraini press and its varied mental schools were established. His Highness expressed esteem for the progress and development of the Bahraini press in form and substance and the achievements it has made through the efforts of its innovative journalists, opinion makers, and columnists and the high standards they have set in free presentation and analysis of all local and international issues. He said this has defined the features of a sober school in journalism that expresses the genuine nature of the people of Bahrain. His Highness affirmed that the national press is performing a key role, being responsible for enlightening public opinion and nurturing the values of loyalty and affiliation in the service of the nation, in addition to its efforts in supporting the development process and maximizing all national achievements. His Highness paid tribute to the free and honorable journalists and media people who have always been and continue to be principal supporters and tenacious defenders of the nation's achievements and gains. His Highness extended sincerest congratulations to the Bahrain Journalists Association and the press and media family in the Kingdom of Bahrain on World Press Freedom Day. He hailed the efforts pursued by the Association for the sake of upgrading the standing of journalism in Bahrain and fulfilling the aspirations of all its members. His Highness also paid tribute to the role undertaken by the international press in defending with freedom and integrity the causes of righteousness, justice, and the humanitarian issues that are important to humanity. He emphasized the Kingdom of Bahrain's support to press freedoms and the importance it attaches to participation with the world in celebrating this day to underline its belief in the contribution of the press in making ours a more prosperous world. His Highness the Prime Minister concluded his message by hailing the important role undertaken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in entrenching the principles of cultural and civilisational cooperation among peoples through its many initiatives that are aimed at building a world of security and stability established on the basis of the common civilian and cultural denominators among peoples. AOQ