Information Minister praises media's national security role

Manama, Nov. 11 (BNA): Parliament and Information Affairs Minister, Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, stressed the importance of the role of the media in protecting national security of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and preservation of their cultural and civilisational identity as well as safeguarding civic and societal peace besides boosting public awareness of respecting the law, spreading moderateness, tolerance, and shunning strife, hate, sectarian and racial discrimination. Speaking on the side-lines of his participation in the third Gulf Political Media Forum today themed "Media and Civic Peace" hosted by the Bahrain Institute for Political Development BIPD under the auspices of Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister Al Hammadi has urged for boosting Gulf media cooperation to confront violence, extremism, local or international terrorism and tackle external interferences and hostile campaigns. The minister affirmed the Kingdom of Bahian's keenness on mustering Gulf media efforts in protecting security, stability and societal cohesion, achievement of intellectual security, ensuring the safe, secure and positive use of new media technologies and taking legal action. He cited the Bahraini and Gulf media's performance of its duty in supporting the armed forces participating in the international coalition in fighting extremist terroristic groups and the role of the Arab coalition in consolidating the legitimacy in Yemen through Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restore Hope as the responsibility of the Arab nation dictated by external threats which necessitated a decisive stance to protect national Arab security and the peoples' aspirations, unity, stability and sustainable development. Concluding his statement, the Minister of Information and Parliament Affairs commended the role of BIPD led by its board of trustees Chairman, Nabil bin Yaqoub Al Hamer, and the efforts of Dr. Yasser Al-Alwai the Executive Director in organising the Arab Political Media Forum, training, research studies, spreading democratic and legal culture, boosting political and intellectual awareness in line with the reforms led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.