Manama, May 2 (BNA)— His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s pioneering initiative to allocate an annual day to honour Bahraini journalists and media persons has been highly commended by Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA).

The association paid tribute to HM the King for his unflinching support to the national press, adding that coordination will be made with the State Ministry for Information Affairs in this regard.

It also praised the royal directives to deal with the press as a power with full prerogatives, commending HM the King’s unwavering support to freedom of expression.

BJA underscored the vital and complementary role of the press in fostering democracy, tackling issues and promoting tolerance and moderation. It also lauded the royal directives to speed up completion of the journalists’ housing project, describing that as an assertion of HM the King’s keenness on the welfare of the media and press staff.

The association also praised the speech of His Royal Highness the Premier marking the World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3. It also hailed the key role played by the journalists and media persons in developing the sector and fast-tracking development through constructive criticism and continuous monitoring within the framework of national responsibility and professional ethics.

The association called on the National Assembly that is processing the Media Law to provide Bahrain’s media personnel with an exemplary media law at the regional level.

BJA urged journalists to foster national unity and commit to the Charter of Honour in order to project the good image of professional ethics while serving the nation and citizens and confronting attempts to drive wedges among journalists.

AOQ