MANAMA: The Premier yesterday called on Bahrain’s Press and media to step up efforts to bring citizens together and denounce division. He made his remarks after honouring pioneering media figures at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa.
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa affirmed that adopting a unified stance regarding threats to national unity and identity is the best way to safeguard achievements and preserve social cohesion and stability.
He called upon the Press and media personalities to use their enlightened vision and thought to promote a culture of work and dedication to the nation, and consolidate unity and solidarity which have always been distinctive features of Bahraini society.
He urged columnists and journalists to adopt a new vision that copes with modern requirements.
The honouring ceremony was organised by the Bahrain Journalists’ Association (BJA).
On arrival, the Premier was welcomed by BJA chairman Moanes Al Mardi, Akhbar Al Khaleej Editor-in-Chief Anwar Abdulrahman and editors-in-chief and journalists of Arab and foreign newspapers.
The Premier cited the crucial role played by Bahrain’s pioneering media personalities, who dedicated themselves to laying the base for a highly responsible school of journalism that interacted positively with the issues of the nation and citizens throughout history.
Journalists were also praised for reaching out to citizens and shedding light on their needs and aspirations.
“This event is an opportunity to thank and appreciate media figures for their landmark contributions and intellectual creativity,” he said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that media freedom and openness prevailing in the kingdom have been boosted, thanks to the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Hamad. “This has paved the way for many media platforms and channels to express their visions and ideas freely and responsibly, in accordance with the Constitution and the law.”
He said His Majesty’s call to mark Bahraini Press Day reflected Royal appreciation of the crucial role of the Press in the nation-building and modernisation marches.
“It’s also a recognition of the efforts of successive generations of journalists in the kingdom’s renaissance and progress,” he said.
The Premier urged journalists and media establishments to “play a responsible role governed by fairness and objectivity” as their message goes far beyond the national frontiers.
“Bahrain is in dire need of concerted efforts by all journalists and media people to counter the falsification and distortion campaigns staged against it.”
He stressed that freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed by the Constitution and the law and should by no means be exploited to disseminate ideas that sow divisions among members of the one-family Bahraini society.
“It has to be used in leading the public opinion towards bringing about more progress and development for the nation,” he said. “No country in the world allows freedom without setting frameworks and standards that govern it.”
The Premier praised the positive role played by citizens in social and electronic media to rectify fallacious and misleading information disseminated by those who seek to distort reality.
“Our nation deserves more sacrifices and achievements from all of us, and journalists in Bahrain have always been up to the challenge – thanks to their patriotic stances towards the homeland, and, therefore, we support and stand by them.”
Bahrain boasts a rich cultural and heritage legacy, and has always aspired for the best, he said, noting that it will “always move forward, thanks to the efforts of its citizens”.