Minister outlines 2016-2017 BRTC modernization plan

Manama, Nov. 19 (BNA): Parliament, Information Affairs Minister, Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, said the 2016-2017 Radio Bahrain will be essentially a lot different from what it has been in 2015. The minister reaffirmed the huge focus on national staff, increasing their expertise, technical and administrative level, praising the role of all Radio Bahrain employees who have never on any given day spared any of their loyal efforts. Minister Al Hammadi today visited Radio Bahrain FM 93.3 morning programme "Sabah-kom-Raeq" presented by Faez Al-Sada and Nasreen Ma'rouf. He unveiled persistent efforts aimed to pump more youthful blood into Radio Bahrain, to convey the skills and expertise of the generation we are proud of – the generation of giants most of whom retired or are still working, including Ibrahim Kano, Hassan Kamal, Abdulrahman Abdullah, the late Ahmed Suleiman and others who founded the radio station – to the new generation of young promising anchors, to be able to carry on the mission, a new generation who must develop and assume the initiative and carry on the process, he went on to say. The minister said Radio Bahrain is distinguished through its qualified staff, appreciating their giving which receives so much respect, pointing out that the radio station in terms of its infrastructures and technical studios have not been invested in significantly since 1980. Presently, it is high time for the desired modernization to take place, with Allah's grace, we have received the support, we began with the Tender Board to offer the relevant tenders. All studios without exception will be modernized. Also the relevant radio systems, the main control room also will be modernized. Our big radio archive, on which we are keen, will change to a digital sound library. In the second phase of our modernization project, we will try to boost transmission strength all over the Kingdom of Bahrain's areas, even transmission abroad, there will be a special vehicle to increase the interaction with the public on our radio frequencies, Minister Isa Al Hammadi said. He said December is the month of joys to all Bahrainis, especially with the near advent of this month, numerous national events take place in our beloved Kingdom. Preparations are well underway inside the Ministry of Information Affairs to launch the new schedule programmes which will be unprecedented and compatible with the National Day celebrations next month. The minister has expressed his delight to be inside Radio Bahrain with listeners and followers, appreciating the role of the national radio and all that it undertakes to obtain the satisfaction of its listeners. He added that December is the period of national rejoicing, praise Allah, I can see the continuous work, a beehive at the Information Affairs Authority (IAA), in Bahrain Radio and TV (BRTC) and elsewhere, there is an integrated whole package of variety programmes to be launched during the upcoming national occasions, to be closer to viewers and listeners, and to appear in a new spirit in line with the ongoing development in the Kingdom of Bahrain led by His Majesty the King, with the support of HRH the Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince, all this modernization and development work to our pride is being carried out in the media channels by capable qualified Bahraini staff and, insha-Allah, innovation and transformation will continue to be achieved through our available potentials. He hinted that what distinguishes Bahrain is its people's treasured values, customs and traditions and norms, and there are lots of easily obtainable things, such as technical and scientific development, but values and traditions that characterize the honourable people of Bahrain from the rest of the world countries, derived from the teachings of our forthright Islamic religion and Arabism as well, even the values which nowadays we look up to in the field of management and leadership, which derives the principles of cooperation and supporting "the less fortunate" others and delegating responsibilities and numerous other skills, is basically connected with a host of our preserved customs and traditions, and the traditional majlises which we used to frequent so to learn from our elders. He also expressed his welcoming and appreciation of his attending the majlises of honourable Bahraini people, which are the source of pride and support. He said he welcomes his perpetual presence at these majlises which infuse happiness in his heart. He said senior officials in the Kingdom, whether His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister or His Royal Highness the Crown prince, do follow our radio channels, and you do not know how many calls and remarks praise your work performance, and call for more constant development and follow up. Minister Al Hammadi said he visited the majlis of one of the MPs last week, and the conversation was mainly focused on the radio and television channels and the attendees remarks were about the development supposed to be undertaken. This means there are remarks from followers. The minister said there are followers of our various channels. This has been proven through survey mechanism we have undertaken through specialized companies which indicated that Bahrain TV ranked second to MBC1 inside the Kingdom of Bahrain. This means a large percentage follows up the national television. It is known that the MBC1 has the highest percentage of followers in the Gulf countries. this means Bahrain TV is the first choice of Bahrainis. This also applies to Radio Bahrain which is the leader inside Bahrain despite the existence of other radio channels being received in Bahrain.