Minister: HM King first supporter of free press, responsible media

Manama, Oct. 15 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister, Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi, has stressed that the Information Affairs Ministry will carry on implementing its plans to develop the national media in order to enhance its role in preserving the national civilisational identity and coping with the development achievements, in line with the Government Action Plan 2019-2022 and the Economic Vision for Bahrain, 2030. This has led to the development of radio and television channels, and their broadcasting using high-quality technology through modern and sophisticated studios, relying on national youth competencies to provide objective news coverage, and television programmes that meet the tastes of viewers of different interests, Al-Romaihi said in an interview with the "Al-Ayyam" newspaper. Regarding the Bahrain Sports Channel, the minister said that the Information Ministry had recently signed a contract with an international company to broadcast matches and sports activities, adding that more than 21 projects to develop radio, television and digital transmission will be completed during this fiscal year. On the new press and media law, Al-Romaihi expressed pride in the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, noting that HM the King is the first supporter of free press and responsible media within the royal approach that guarantees political and civil liberties, on top of which the right to peaceful and civilisational expression of opinion. The minister stressed commitment to implementing the directives of HM the King to increase the gains of the affiliates of this noble profession through approving a new modern and enlightened draft press and electronic media law that takes into account the visions of the Bahrain Journalists Association, allows journalists and media personnel to undertake their duties freely, securely, responsibly and independently and prohibits the arbitrary dismissal of journalists or their detention in publishing cases. Concerning the financial fines, the minister said that the bill will be referred to the Legislative Branch during the current legislative term, and that all its articles are subject to discussion or change, affirming that the ultimate goal of the draft-law is to achieve the high interests of the nation and the citizens. On the existing competition between the cyberspace and the paper press, the minister asserted that the Bahraini press, which boasts a rich history of more than eight decades, has an audience of readers and intellectuals who have confidence in its credibility and prefer paper versions due to many reasons, including mainly the lawlessness, chaos and disturbing rumours prevailing in the cyberspace. Commenting on the targeting of Saudi oil facilities, the minister affirmed that the Arab and Islamic nations are facing multiple challenges and threats to their identity, stability, security and development march, condemning the criminal attacks against sisterly Saudi Arabia and reiterating the solidarity of Bahrain, as well as that of the Arab and Islamic worlds, with it. The minister also underlined his keenness to develop the role of the national media as an effective partner in preserving national security, combating extremism and terrorism and countering foreign interference in the domestic affairs of the kingdom. On the Qatari crisis, the Minister of Information said that it has proved the soundness of the Arab boycott decision, especially in light of the existence of a media network, the "Al-Jazeera Network", which is backed by the Qatari government, and supports terrorism, extremism and hatred, noting that peoples of the region have become well aware of the destructive role played by "Al Jazeera" and similar TV channels that ignite sedition and chaos across the Arab world. Al-Romaihi noted that the complaint filed by Bahrain with the Arab League against the Doha-based Al-Jazeera Network is a positive step to stop its violations, adding that the issue is expected to be discussed in January next year. Commenting on the existence of Qatari accounts targeting GCC leaders, the minister revealed that it is a Qatari government-funded network of suspicious accounts with fake names and pseudonyms that is tasked with defaming GCC leaders and symbols and spreading rumours and lies for the sake of subverting security and stability in Bahrain and other GCC countries. He noting that the Information Affairs Ministry is aware of such criminal plans and is facing incitement campaigns in general through raising the awareness of the public, disseminating facts through various media outlets, and activating the role of the National Communication Centre to unify media discourse, in addition to communication with media and human rights institutions, working on building a unified Arab stance under the umbrella of the Arab Information Ministers Council and strengthening international cooperation to take legal actions against the Qatar-funded electronic media platforms that violate international media and human rights conventions.