Local affairs editor
A number of journalists and media professionals interacted with the sublime royal speech delivered by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, at the opening of the new session of the House of Representatives, stressing that the speech embodied a clear national vision towards promoting development and preserving national gains. They pointed out that His Majesty the King, during his speech, laid the foundations for supporting the national media, stressing its vital role in conveying national achievements and initiatives, while adhering to professionalism and responsibility in media coverage.
They considered that the focus on protecting freedom of opinion and expression within a framework of responsibility reflects the wise leadership’s understanding of the importance of the media as a basic pillar of the national reform project. They pointed out that His Majesty’s references to developing media legislation come to keep pace with local and international developments, and encourage media professionals to innovate and excel while enhancing the values of transparency and credibility.
Journalist Samah Allam said that the speech of His Majesty the King at the opening of the fourth session of the sixth legislative term came to mark the beginning of a new phase in the path of national development. She said that His Majesty’s confirmation of the imminent completion of the adoption of amendments to the law regulating the press, printing and publishing is evidence of His Majesty’s care and great interest in the role of journalism and media in the comprehensive national development process, and reflects the Kingdom of Bahrain’s firm commitment to freedom of opinion and expression as a pillar of the modern constitutional state.
She explained that the royal directive is not merely a legislative update, but rather represents the Kingdom’s keenness, under the leadership of His Majesty, to establish a free and responsible media environment that enhances the status of the national media, gives it more effective tools in carrying out its message, and keeps pace with the aspirations of the times in building a knowledge society and active citizenship in light of modern media concepts and modern techniques and technologies with the use of artificial intelligence.
She added that the speech of His Majesty the King at this time comes to represent a comprehensive national document that defines the features of the next stage and lays its intellectual, legislative and developmental foundations. It is a comprehensive word for the strategic implications that reflect the features of the future. It draws a clear road map towards a more developed and accomplished stage, while emphasizing the role of the media as a partner in all important national files.
While the Chair of the Women’s Committee of the Bahrain Journalists Association and the Editor-in-Chief of the Bahrain News Agency, Rasha Al-Ibrahim, confirmed that journalism has always received the attention of His Majesty the King, and that this vocabulary has always accompanied his speeches on various occasions. She said: “The Kingdom of Bahrain is considered one of the leading countries in the field of media, as the press plays a pivotal role in promoting democracy and freedom of expression. In light of the ongoing challenges facing the journalism sector and journalists, we stress the importance of effective interaction with the press law in order to enhance a safe and sustainable journalistic work environment.”
Al-Ibrahim called for “organizing workshops and seminars to discuss the challenges faced by journalists in Bahrain, and providing them with the necessary support.” Strengthening the capabilities of journalists through training and guidance contributes to improving the quality of media content and enhances the credibility of the Bahraini press.” She stressed the importance of teamwork to achieve common goals, stressing the need for press laws to be a mirror that reflects the aspirations of Bahraini society towards freedom and democracy.
For his part, the head of investigative journalism at Al-Bilad newspaper, Alawi Al-Moussawi, said that the speech of His Majesty the King is a beacon for national guidance, with the lofty directives it carries and insightful visions that illuminate the path of action for all constitutional institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, including all authorities, especially the Fourth Estate.
He added that His Majesty’s speech was full of positive indicators that reflect the depth of the royal vision for Bahrain’s future, as His Majesty painted, with the threads of his wisdom, an integrated national picture that glorifies the Bahraini human being and places him at the heart of the sustainable development project. He noted the praise contained in the royal speech for the efforts of the Shura and Representatives Councils, including the near completion of the approval of the amendments to the law regulating the press, printing and publishing, considering this a pivotal step that affirms the constitutional value of freedom of opinion and expression in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and consolidates the high status of the national media in its various means.
He stressed that His Majesty the King was – and still is – the first guarantor of freedom of speech, and the true protector of the journalist’s right to expression and responsible criticism, pointing out that the Bahraini press today enjoys a climate of openness and freedom thanks to the wise royal vision that believed from the beginning that the media is a partner in building, not an opponent in dispute.
He said: “We journalists in Bahrain see in His Majesty the King the first symbol of Bahraini journalism and the protector of its den, and he is the one who preserved the journalist’s dignity and voice. Bahrain was a pioneer in consolidating the values of freedom of expression in the region.”
For his part, journalist Ayman Hammam stressed that the remarkable developments witnessed by the media and journalism sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain reflect a wise royal vision led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the country’s great king, in consolidating freedom of opinion and expression within a framework of responsibility and professionalism.
He said: “Today, Bahrain presents an advanced Arab model in keeping pace with media developments, encouraging a legislative environment that embraces competencies, and supports fair and independent journalistic practices, which we value as Arab media professionals, and view with great admiration and appreciation.”
He explained that what His Majesty the King indicated in his royal speech regarding the imminent completion of amendments to the law regulating the press, printing and publishing, confirms that Bahrain is proceeding confidently in updating its legislation in line with global media changes, and strengthens the position of the Bahraini media as an essential component in supporting the national development process.
He added that constructive cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities laid a strong foundation for achieving qualitative legislative achievements, including this vital law. This trend reflects not only a deep respect for freedom of speech, but also a deep belief in the importance of the media in building modern societies and enhancing public awareness.
For her part, Amal Al-Aradi, a journalist at Al-Bilad newspaper, said that the speech of His Majesty the King, which he delivered during the opening of the session, highlighted the great interest that His Majesty attaches to the field of journalism and media, which is reflected in His Majesty’s kindly mentioning of the press law at the beginning of his royal speech, which reflects the depth of the vital role that the press plays in building society and developing national awareness.
She added: “By His Majesty’s mention of the press law at the beginning of his royal speech, we see the extent of his keenness to provide legal protection for journalists and guarantee their freedoms, which enhances the credibility of the national media and gives it a greater opportunity to be the voice of the people and the mirror of their reality. This approach, in turn, reflects His Majesty’s interest in strengthening the balance between freedom of expression and media responsibility, which contributes to building a conscious and stable society.”
Al-Aradi noted that “His Majesty the King’s keenness to approve the press law comes at an important time, as the world today faces increasing challenges in the field of media, which requires codifying journalistic work and providing controls that protect the media from all forms of misinformation and confusion. Here the royal wisdom appears in choosing this law to be one of the priorities for the opening of today’s session, thus strengthening the position of the press as a tool of enlightenment, education, and monitoring.”
