“Gulf News” proves once again that it is equal to the national situation and challenge
Anwar Abdul Rahman:
The openness that His Majesty the King established as the basis for the reform project… and some misunderstood it
It is necessary to revive Channel 55 to enhance the external media presence
Integration between the armed forces, security services and the media has achieved remarkable success
The events revealed the positions… and there is no justification for any voice that identifies with the hostile discourse
Photography: Abdul Amir Al Sultana
On the occasion of Bahraini Press Day, which falls on May 7th of each year, the Minister of Information, Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, visited the headquarters of the “Akhbar Al Khaleej” newspaper yesterday morning, where he was received by Mr. Anwar Abdul Rahman, the editor-in-chief, in the presence of a number of senior officials in the media sector.
The Minister of Information was accompanied during the visit by Yousef Mohammed Al-Bin Khalil, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, Ahmed Khaled Al-Arifi, CEO of the National Communication Centre, Abdullah Khalil Buhiji, Director-General of the Bahrain News Agency, Abdulrahman Khalid Al-Midfa, Assistant Undersecretary for News and Regulatory Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Director of the Regulatory Affairs Department, and Maryam Mohammed Hadi, Head of Media. The meeting was also attended by the newspaper’s editorial director, Mr. Zahra, the general manager, Abdul Majeed Haji, and the two journalists, Ahmed Abdel Hamid, chief editor, and Ali Abdel Khaleq.
At the beginning of the meeting, the editor-in-chief welcomed the Minister of Information and his entourage, praising the approach he used to visit national newspapers in conjunction with this occasion, stressing that Bahraini Press Day represents an important milestone for renewing commitment to the message of the national media and its role in serving society.
For his part, the Minister of Information praised the vital role played by the national press during the Iranian aggression that targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab Gulf states and Jordan, stressing that the high readiness and military readiness contributed to confronting this brutal aggression and ensuring the continuation of public life normally, without a state of fear or panic among citizens and residents, as witnessed by some countries that went through similar circumstances.
The Minister of Information stressed the comprehensive contents of the sublime speech of His Majesty the King of the country, and the national constants it established, foremost of which is that the homeland is above all, and that the Kingdom of Bahrain is a trust in the hands of all its people. He praised, in this context, the high patriotic sense shown by the Bahraini press, and the professional and conscious vigilance in dealing with the requirements of this delicate stage, in a way that preserves the constants, enhances class unity, and supports comprehensive development paths.
The Minister also pointed out that the advanced role played by the Bahraini press comes as a translation of the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Highness’s continued keenness to celebrate the contributions of members of the press and national media, and to enable them to carry out their pivotal role in the nation’s development process.
He stressed that our armed forces, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the follow-up of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, succeeded efficiently in confronting this aggression, pointing to the pivotal role played by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries through joint coordination and continuous cooperation.
Regarding the media role, the Minister explained that the national press played an influential role in conveying the truth, and highlighting the readiness of the security services and the speed of their response, in cooperation with the security media and the National Communication Centre, stressing that the speed of delivering accurate information represents a decisive element in confronting rumours, as it contributes to blocking the path of hostile media that seek to broadcast misleading news.
He thanked and appreciated the civil defense men for their efforts and quick response to various events, noting that the media performance during this stage enjoyed a state of general satisfaction, due to the role it played in educating the community and providing an accurate and objective description of the events.
The Minister of Information stressed that national newspapers have shown, since the beginning of the aggression, a high level of responsibility, and did not hesitate to call things by their names, in contrast to some voices that adopted positions that he described as outside the national consensus, stressing that such positions cannot be justified in light of the nation being exposed to direct aggression, and that this stage clearly revealed the truth of those positions.
He said that Bahrain, thanks to its wise leadership and the cohesion of its people, has proven its ability to overcome challenges, noting that Iranian hostile practices towards the Kingdom and the countries of the region are not the result of the moment, but rather extend over years of attempts to interfere and destabilize.
He stressed the importance of documenting this historical stage in all its details, stressing that documenting events contributes to consolidating national awareness and building a societal memory that is more aware of the challenges and more capable of facing the future with a clear and coherent vision. He added that these events represent a link within an extended series of hostile practices that stem from the same premise, which requires monitoring and analyzing them in a scientific and systematic manner.
The Minister pointed out that the national press, with its competencies and expertise, has a major role to play in this aspect, whether in documentation or in enhancing public awareness.
He stressed that Bahraini Press Day this year comes under exceptional circumstances, which gives it special importance, and highlights the recognized role of the national press, led by “Gulf News”, which has once again proven its position as a leading newspaper, capable of keeping pace with challenges, conveying facts professionally, and contributing to shaping societal awareness.
For his part, Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Anwar Abdul Rahman, reviewed features of the national media experience, recalling the first meeting of His Majesty the King with the press, in which he stressed the importance of openness and consolidating national action on the foundations of dialogue and understanding, noting that this approach formed a basic basis for the reform project.
Abdul Rahman criticized some of the practices issued by a number of representatives recently, considering that the absence of legal consultation among some led to putting forward ill-considered positions, stressing that advanced democratic experiences depend on the presence of legal advisors for every parliamentary member, which contributes to enhancing the quality of legislative performance.
He added that the street is awaiting with interest what the outcome of the House of Representatives session will be, given the importance of its results at various levels, not only at the media level, but at the level of society as a whole.
He also pointed out the importance of expanding the English-language media, pointing out that translating political articles published in “Gulf News” through the newspaperGulf!Daily!NewsIt witnessed widespread interaction from foreign residents, which reflects the interest of this segment in following what is happening in the Kingdom.
He called for reviving the English Channel (55), relying on national cadres and benefiting from foreign expertise residing in Bahrain for many years, stressing that this project could achieve great success with limited resources if it is implemented thoughtfully.
In his comment, the Minister of Information welcomed the proposal, noting that the Ministry focused during the past period on developing Channel One and the Sports Channel, which achieved wide positive feedback, stressing that developing the English channel is part of the Ministry’s future plans, and the proposals submitted in this regard will be considered.
The editor-in-chief touched on the specificity of Bahraini society, noting the attractiveness it enjoys that makes many residents relate to it, citing the situation of a foreign traveler who expressed his feeling of relief upon his arrival in Bahrain, which reflects the nature and openness of society.
The editor-in-chief praised the efforts of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Interior and the National Guard, appreciating their role in providing accurate information on an ongoing basis, considering that this represents one of the most prominent elements of media success during this stage.
The meeting also discussed the Iranian media, as the Minister of Information pointed out the extent of the misinformation practiced by some of its outlets, stressing that Bahraini media institutions are keen on accuracy and credibility, while some hostile outlets rely on spreading rumours, which ultimately leads to them losing their credibility.
The Minister of Information concluded his visit by renewing his congratulations to the “Gulf News” family on the occasion of Bahraini Press Day, expressing his appreciation for the national role played by the newspaper, stressing his confidence in the continued readiness of the national media, with all its components, to carry out its responsibilities to the fullest.
The Minister also toured the exhibition held by the newspaper on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the issuance of its first issue, praising its long history and its status as the first daily newspaper in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the outstanding contributions it made in serving the nation and society. !
