My choice of the word “respect” in the title was an intentional choice, and I did not use the word “appreciation” before it. The reason is: It – that is, the word respect – is a basic value upon which signs of trust and appreciation are subsequently built. Yes, respect is the basis that generates feelings of appreciation and gratitude, because it is an acknowledgment of status and role, before it is a response to giving or achievement.
In this context, we find that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, our great king, may God protect and preserve him, not only appreciated the loyal Bahraini press, but rather established a unique model in consolidating deep “respect” for its mission and responsibility in serving the nation.
King Hamad repeatedly stressed that the Bahraini press is not only an “integral” party in the journey of our dear homeland, but also an active “partner” in construction and development.
He believes that journalists are more than transmitters of information and makers of news. No, he sees them as protectors of societal awareness and the first line of defense against misinformation and harm to the homeland.
This belief in the role of the press was affirmed by His Majesty the King even before he launched his reform project, out of his belief that freedom of speech is one of the necessary foundations for stability and progress.
His Majesty’s respect for the press is evident in countless situations, and this respect stems from a firm conviction in the importance of the role played by free speech.
Whoever follows his dealings with journalists and media professionals realizes the amount of appreciation and attention that surrounds him for them, and it stems from a leadership vision that relies on closeness to the citizen, and appreciation of every sincere national effort.
One of the most prominent forms of this support and appreciation is the royal blessing that was represented by the allocation of land and the construction of a permanent headquarters for the Bahraini Journalists Association. This is support that will enhance the status of the Bahraini press, by providing them with an institutional home, which reflects the amount of trust and support that our press enjoys from His Majesty the King.
This lofty matter represents a long-held dream of the association’s members, and it is being realized today with the will of our first supporter, His Majesty the King, may God protect him.
The positions and words of our dear King highlight a consistent approach in respecting Bahraini people in general, and journalists and media professionals in particular, out of belief in their ability to be creative and contribute to shaping the present and the future.
Through this high royal approach to leadership and dealing, the Bahraini press has become a model of national commitment, adherence to professionalism, and contribution to enhancing the image of the nation at home and abroad.
His Majesty the King’s respect for the press is an expression of a comprehensive vision that believes in the importance of speech in building societies. Through this respect, the Bahraini press achieved a distinguished position as a fourth estate, and journalists found themselves in an environment that enhances their abilities and motivates them to give more and be more loyal to the homeland.
May God protect His Majesty the King, the patron of the sincere word, the protector of freedom of expression, and the supporter of every effort that contributes to Bahrain’s renaissance and progress. We always pledge to him that we will remain loyal to the dear soil of Bahrain and to him as a father and symbol who, with his will, created a prosperous era for his country and its people.
