MANAMA: HRH Premier to honour under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Bahrain will hold a ceremony to honour press and media personnel marking the Bahraini Press Day.
The honouring ceremony will be held next Tuesday, in the presence of representatives of mass media, and key GCC, Arab and international press and media personalities.
Minister of Information Affairs Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi said that the honouring of the press and media pioneers reflects the leadership’s support for the press and media personnel, and recognition of their landmark contributions to serving the Bahraini society and preserving its hard-won development and civilisational gains, within the pioneering Reform Project spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The minister expressed the pride of the press and media community in HM the King’s directives to allocate May 7 as a Bahraini Press Day, and HRH the Prime Minister’s patronage of the event to honour press and media pioneers, describing the Bahraini Press Day as a milestone in the era of media freedoms, openness and political and democratic development the kingdom is currently witnessing.
Al-Hammadi affirmed that thanks to the directives of HM the King, support of HRH the Premier and backing of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the Bahraini press and media are exercising their role and expressing their opinions freely, independently and objectively, within an open, pluralistic and competitive environment.
The minister pointed out that the honouring of press and media pioneers is a kind gesture that crowns veteran Bahrainis who have assumed their professional duties with outstanding competence and dedication over long years.
It will also stimulate youth journalists and media personnel to continue the creativity march, within the framework of responsible freedom.
Board Chairman of the Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA) Moanes Al-Mardi affirmed that the Bahraini Press Day reflects HM King’s appreciation of the key role and constant support to journalists through providing them with all the requirements and facilities in order to be able to carry on the march of dedication, success and excellence.
He valued highly HRH Premier’s annual kind gesture to honour journalists, noting that the Prime Minister’s care is in recognition of the essential role played by the press in mobilising all social potentials, enlightening the public and motivating it to increase its participation in the nation’s progress, being a key partner to the government in enhancing sustainable development.
BJA Board Chairman expressed the delight of the press and media personnel in meeting HRH the Prime Minister. They are also proud of HRH Premier’s appreciation of their keenness to assume their patriotic duties, express their opinions neutrally and credibly, defend right and spread the values of good and peace.
Al-Mardi also paid similar tribute to HRH the Crown Prince for his constant keenness to support the press and media message, given its role in serving the kingdom’s achievements.
He also expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to the Information Affairs Minister for stances in support of projects and programmes aiming to ensure the rights of journalists, which, he said, serves the aspirations of the press community.
He said that during this year’s ceremony, a number of press and media pioneers, with more than 15 years in service, will be honoured.