With social media taking a leap forward in opinion making by rapidly bringing in changes in the social and political landscape, Journalism will remain a vital pillar of a sustainable society, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister said.
Bahrain will join the other nations in celebrating the World Press Freedom Day. “21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers” is the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, scheduled to be marked on May 3rd.
His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa seized the opportunity to pay tribute to the press, hailing its importance in shaping public opinions, promoting new roles, or correcting wrong ones.
He stressed the importance of this year’s slogan, which reflects the impressive strides of the modern cutting edge communication technologies. In his annual address marking the World Press Freedom Day, HRH the Premier highlighted the emergence of new means cyber communications.
“Electronic forums and social networking sites have proved their credentials creating a greater potential for interaction, exchange of opinions and enhancing social awareness,” he said.
“People are now exchanging information with greater freedom and ease, through social networking sites”, he said, highlight the impressive impact of these cutting edge modern communication technologies on societies and people’s lifestyles.
He underscored the importance of information exchange as driving force and a catalyst, engineering social and economic momentum, providing we make good use of such cutting edge communication technologies.
HRH the Premier reiterated focal interest in the media, describing the press as a crucial index reflecting social vivacity, dynamism and aspirations.
“Journalists have been always at the forefront in promoting social awareness”, he said, paying tribute to columnists in particular for their influential role in impacting the course of events and braving challenges during the difficult events which gripped Bahrain recently.
He lauded the local press in dealing with the recent crisis, promoting a patriotic rhetoric and addressing issues objectively.
He extended thanks to journalists for assuming their patriotic responsibilities and standing united in defending Bahrain’s hard-won achievements. HRH the Premier reiterated Bahrain’s strong resolve to continue promoting the margins of freedom and openness under the umbrella of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. He paid tribute to HM the King for promoting the status of press and journalists in Bahrain. While describing security and stability as a top priority, he stresses the crucial role of the press at this critical juncture in the history of Bahrain. “The press has an instrumental role to play in fostering and promoting the values of allegiance and national belonging”, he said. HRH the Premier paid tribute to Bahrain Journalists Association, hailing its unflinching efforts to defend journalists and the media and representing them in Bahrain and abroad.
He outlined Bahrain’s strides regarding the freedom of opinion, which yielded acknowledged media establishments that reflect people’s will, social forces and civil institutions. “We are in dire need today for patriotic stances and development achievements that benefit Bahrain” he said, expressing his confidence in the ability of the press and journalists to promote love and amity between all social components for hope to prevail and blossom.
The Premier paid tribute also to the GCC press for rallying in support of Bahrain during the recent deplorable events. He also deplored other media which proved one-sided and lacked objectivity in covering recent events in Bahrain, thus flouting the code of press ethics which promotes credibility, impartiality as basic foundations. The Premier hailed the World Press Freedom Day, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, which was signed in Namibia in 1991, laying the foundations and basics of press freedom in the world.
He lauded the United Nations for its efforts to protect journalists all over the world and promote freedom of opinion, reiterating Bahrain’s international commitments, regarding the protection of journalists and the creation of favourable atmosphere for them to exercise their work in total freedom, as stipulated in the laws and the constitution.