Manama: Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa said Bahrain needed a media discourse consistent with modern requirements and endeavouring to support freedom and acceptance of the others.
“Our focus should be on issues that are of interest to the citizens and their wellbeing,” he said.
Prince Khalifa said that the media in Bahrain has acquired, over long years of dedication, expertise and experiences that have made it into a leading school that has its own ways to express the aspirations of the general public, highlight national issues and reflect the kingdom’s development and progress.
“The successes achieved by Bahrain are a result of contributions accumulated by various generations of journalists and columnists who have enriched the Bahraini media landscape with their distinguished and distinctive work and views,” Prince Khalifa said. “Today, the new generation of media people is benefiting from the collective memory and fertile references generously provided by the previous generations,” he said as he honoured journalists at a special ceremony coinciding with Bahrain Press Day.
Bahrain celebrates the annual occasion on May 7, four days after it marks the International Press Freedom Day.
At the ceremony, Prince Khalifa honoured 86 journalists, columnists, photojournalists and photographers.
“This honouring ceremony is an auspicious occasion for us to share our pride and appreciation of the contributions of media people who have dedicated so much to the country. It is an occasion to thank all those who have devoted their time and efforts for the sake of Bahrain and supported the kingdom’s forward-looking progress in all areas,” he said.
“The media has effectively contributed to enlightening the society and spreading greater awareness and a wider culture. The media can communicate with the communities through an advanced discourse that deals directly with the people’s concerns and aspirations. The first journalists have successfully laid the foundations for the modern and developed media that we witness today,” he said.
Young people should join the media sector and become part of the programmes and activities that build and consolidate capacities and allow them to rise to the responsibilities of a responsible and influential media, the prime minister added.
“We are facing a wide spectrum of challenges, particularly that nowadays it is easy for all to acquire and disseminate information, be it for positive or negative purposes. Such a fact demands the reinforcement of the society and instilling patriotism in the minds and hearts of young people and consolidating it with values that make social construction stronger and better organized,” he said. “The new communication tools have torn down obstacles to the dissemination of the information and conveying details has become really easy. We do urge the proper use of these tools and in accordance with social standards, criteria and laws,” he said.
Prince Khalifa added that the press remained highly influential and credible in expressing people’s aspiration despite the emergence and growth of social media.
Bahrain, with a total population of 1.2 million people, has five dailies in Arabic and two in English. It has several weekly and monthly publications.
