HRH Premier honours Bahraini Press, media personnel

Manama, May 19 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed that the kingdom needs an enlightened thought and media discourse that is consistent with modern requirements, and believes in freedom and acceptance of the other, and uses them in serving society. "Our focus should be mainly on issues that achieve the citizens' interests and welfare, which is the ultimate goal for everyone," he said. He affirmed that the Bahraini Press has acquired, over long years of dedication, expertise and experiences that have entitled it to be a leading school of its own, a school that has its own pattern in expressing the aspirations of the public, raising national issues and highlighting the kingdom's development and progress. HRH the Prime Minister added that the landmark achievements of Bahraini Press and mass media have not come from a vacuum, but, rather are the result of accumulated work and dedication of successive generations of creative columnists and journalists, who had enriched the media scene by their outstanding articles and ideas which represent a national memory and a rich source of information that will benefit and inspire the new generation. He stressed that the openness and freedoms prevailing in the kingdom are the outcome of the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has always been keen on providing all requirements for enhancing the freedoms of opinion and expression within the framework of responsible freedom regulated by the Constitution and the law. HRH Premier made the statements as he patronised today the ceremony held by the Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) at the Ritz Carlton Hotel to honour Bahraini Press and media personnel, as part of the kingdom's celebrations of the Bahraini Press Day. HRH the Prime Minister extended sincere congratulations to the Bahraini media and Press community on the Bahraini Press Day, which he described as an opportunity to honour Press and media personnel, appreciate the efforts they exerted for the sake of the homeland and re-affirm the role of the Bahraini Press in supporting the national development and progress march in all fields. "The Bahraini Press Day is a milestone in the kingdom's history," he said, adding that it is an annual occasion to renew pride in Press and media persons and pay tribute to them for their long march of dedication, and intellectual and cultural enlightenment". HRH Premier pointed out that the honouring of the Press and media persons reflects the kingdom's interest in its journalists and their columnists, stressing that the Press and media are effective tools to enlighten the public and form the awareness and culture of the society. He said that the Bahraini Press is rich, diverse and has an outstanding capacity to address the public using a clear language that reflects the interests and aspirations of society, recalling with pride the contributions of the Bahraini Press and media pioneers, whose work, he asserted, represented the foundation stone that paved the way for a modern and advanced Press. HRH Premier stressed that preparing youth to join Press and media should top every plan devised by the Bahraini Journalists' Association (BJA), noting that progammes and activities should focus on preparing a new highly-qualified and trained generation of journalists and media persons who are capable of conveying the strong and effective journalistic message. He called for the need to strengthen social cohesion and instill national identity values among youth, amid the great number of challenges created by the multiple means of information. He added that the wide spread and diversity of means of communication have facilitated the dissemination of information, stressing the need to use of such means should be consistent with the standards, regulations and laws of society. HRH Premier emphasised that the Press remains the most effective and credible in expressing the aspirations of the people despite the diversity and increasing use of social networks. He called upon the media to assume its national role in enlightening society, and strengthening its cohesion. HRH Premier voiced pride in the role played by the Press and media in tackling and covering national issues objectively and transparently, and enlightening the public on their multi-faceted dimensions, as well as directing the attention of the citizens towards key issues. HRH the Prime Minister called on the Press and media persons to continue assuming their "constructive and commendable" role in supporting the government's efforts to provide the requirements of decent life for the citizens, maintaining national security and stability, countering all efforts to interfere into the kingdom's domestic issues, and rejecting all ideas and trends that do not serve society. At the beginning of the ceremony, some Holy Quran verses were recited and then BJA Board Chairman Moanes Al-Mardi delivered a statement in which he extended, on behalf of Bahraini journalists, sincere thanks and gratitude to HRH Premier for patronising the ceremony to honour Bahrain Press and media personnel, and share with them their celebrations. He expressed the Bahrain media and Press community's pride in marking an annual Bahraini Press Day, which, he said, is seldom found in many developed countries. He called for complementarity among all national media establishments in order to achieve the leadership's aspirations to enhance the status of the Bahraini media, be able to keep abreast of the rapid developments in the information and communication field, and ensure strong and unified stances against any media outlet's misleading and smear campaigns against the kingdom's leadership and people. Editor-in-Chief of "Al-Watan" newspaper Yusuf Al-BinKhalil spoke on behalf of honorees. He extended utmost thanks and gratitude to HRH Premier for patronising the honouring ceremony. He said that HRH Premier's constant support is a catalyst for the Press and media personnel to continue playing their dedication in serving the homeland. He affirmed that HRH Premier's daily follow-up of what is raised in newspapers and prompt directives to interact with those issues and take the right decisions are living proofs of the distinguished status enjoyed by the Bahraini Press. He expressed the pride of journalists and media persons in HRH Premier's support and appreciation of their work, noting that the Premier's support is a cornerstone for the strides of the Bahraini Press. After that, a documentary film highlighting HRH Premier's incessant support for the Bahraini Press was screened. Then, HRH Premier honoured 86 Bahraini Press and media persons for their patriotic contributions and role in consolidating the kingdom's pioneering position in the Press and media fields. BJA Board Chairman presented HRH Premier with a commemorative gift.