His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has saluted the men and women of the press and media for their outstanding endeavors, especially during challenges times, and for their commitment to responsible and truthful coverage and expression.
In a message on World Press Freedom Day, HM King Hamad said that the press and media have proven to be an essential building block for society and its progress, a beacon of thought, creativity and knowledge, a fundamental component of the rule of law, and a safety valve against extremism, terrorism, incitement and hate speeches.
Following is a translation of HM the King’s message:
“It gives us great pleasure to convey a message of thanks and appreciation to the loyal people of Bahrain working in journalism and media. They are the carriers of the noble message to spread awareness, enlightenment and knowledge and our national partners in the forward-looking process to consolidate modernization and sustainable development.
As we join the international community in its celebration of World Press Freedom Day under the theme " Journalism without Fear or Favor ", we reiterate our pride in the work of Bahraini men and women in the field of journalism and media. They have been dutifully diligent in safeguarding the integrity of the word objectively, credibly and professionally within a modern and democratic setting and a developed constitutional and legal system that guarantees expressing opinions freely, responsibly, safely and independently.
This is an auspicious occasion in which we have the right to be proud of the gains achieved through the broadening horizons of freedom of the press, media and intellectual creativity that represent refined human values and a true embodiment of the consciousness, civilization and long history of the Bahraini society. These freedoms are a milestone in the maturity and dynamism of our democratic process and in the respect for human rights and political and civil liberties.
Independent press and free and responsible media are among our most important national gains since the launch of our reform project, within the framework of respect for rights and freedoms, foremost of which is freedom of opinion and expression, the right to exchange factual and reliable news and information and the use of the latest developments in media and communication technology to achieve this.
This is accomplished without restrictions or intimidation, based on modern constitutional and legislative guarantees, an independent judiciary, commitment to regional and international human rights covenants, and economic and social progress that has enhanced the presence of the press and the media and the growth of their influence.
The press and the media, with their honorable national history and their adherence to the principles and ethics of the profession, have proven to be an essential building block for society and its progress, a beacon of thought, creativity and knowledge, a fundamental component of the rule of law, and a safety valve against extremism, terrorism, incitement and hate speeches.
We value the role of the Ministry of Information in performing its mission efficiently and diligently to create legislative and regulatory environments amid the flourishing of press and media freedoms, improve the visual, audio and electronic media, contribute to preserving Bahrain’s national identity and highlight its rich heritage, endeavors to invest in national talent, and consolidate Bahrain's status as a civilized and enlightened center.
We also pay tribute to the ministry’s steady contribution to supporting the development and democracy process and its keenness, in partnership with the local press, to develop journalism and media, to lay the foundations of a free, fair and objective expression, inculcate concepts of loyalty and sense of belonging to the country and protect the right to know.
History will always mention brightly how our national media assumed its responsibilities with courage and steadfastness in facing all the local, regional and international challenges that our beloved kingdom has had to face.
Our media overcame the challenges with a strong determination and a free and unified national will. The national media stood valiantly in defending the nation’s security and stability, preserving its identity in its national, Gulf, Arab and Islamic dimensions, promoting its development and civilizational gains, and reinforcing the values and duties of good citizenship in the context of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among all people in this generous country.
The press and media have risen to the anticipated level of responsibility with their continuous support for the efforts of the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19), their professional commitment to educating citizens and residents about preventive and precautionary measures in these exceptional circumstances, upholding integrity and transparency in disseminating facts and information after taking them from official sources, confronting and countering rumors and malicious allegations, and placing the higher interest of the nation above any and every consideration.
We express our appreciation for and pride in the role of Bahraini women in journalism and media that is equal to their role in all developmental fields, especially during these exceptional conditions. They are within the medical, nursing and voluntary teams at the frontlines working diligently to contain the global pandemic in a spirit of community, solidarity, determination, altruism and sacrifice in the service of the country and public interest.
We are confident and certain that our country is able, thanks to God Almighty and His generosity, the awareness of our society and its adherence to the principles of national unity and its respect for preventive measures and official directives, and the cooperation of the legislative, executive and judicial authorities and civil institutions, to overcome the exceptional challenge and deal with its repercussions in a manner that guarantees the safety and health of all citizens and residents, and a return to normal life as soon as possible, God willing.
The concurrence of our celebration of World Press Freedom Day with the spiritual atmosphere of the blessed month of Ramadan is an auspicious opportunity to recall our humane values and principles derived from the spirit of the teachings of our tolerant Islamic faith.
These teachings call for the harmony of hearts, to uphold the values of honesty, integrity and objectivity in expressing opinions and to stand together to confront attempts to sow discord and divisions through false information and news that are increasingly spreading in the digital age and through satellite channels broadcasting hatred and subversion.
Here we stress the importance of uniting stances in defending the professional and ethical principles of press freedom for the sake of a responsible and active media as a partner in the country’s development.
May God grant everyone success for the sake of our beloved homeland and may He bestow again and again these days of virtue and blessings on our Arab and Islamic nation and on the whole world with further security, peace, health, happiness and prosperity.”
SOURCE: BNA