The journalistic and media community in the Kingdom of Bahrain has the honor to express our deepest thanks and great gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, for His Majesty’s royal order to allocate land and undertake its construction as a headquarters for the Bahraini Journalists Association, in appreciation of His Majesty the recognized national role played by the Bahraini press in serving the nation and society, and in confirmation of what he attaches to His Majesty is interested and keen to provide a supportive environment for media and journalistic cadres and enhance their professional and national role.
The Bahraini Journalists Association also has the honor to express its sincere thanks and great gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, on the occasion of His Majesty kindly receiving the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the Association in its new session, and His Majesty’s ratification of the Press and Electronic Media Law.
The association’s president, Issa Al-Shaiji, said: “I am honored to bring this good news about the high royal honor of establishing a high-level and integrated headquarters for the Bahraini Journalists Association, and to convey to all journalists and media professionals in Bahrain the greetings of His Majesty the King and his wishes to all journalists and media professionals, and His Majesty’s appreciation for their efforts in serving the nation and the citizens, noting that this royal honor comes in the midst of the association’s celebration of the silver jubilee and with the issuance of the Press and Electronic Media Law, to confirm that The Bahraini press is living its brightest days under the prosperous era.
Al-Shaiji added that the Board of Directors was honored during the meeting to listen to the visions of His Majesty the King regarding the march of journalism in Bahrain and the status and achievements it has achieved that culminated in the issuance of the Press and Electronic Media Law, which is an unprecedented law in the march of the ancient and honorable Bahraini press.
The President of the Society praised His Majesty the King’s keenness to ratify the law shortly after it was approved by the Shura Council, which confirms His Majesty’s belief in freedom of opinion and expression, the message of the national press, and its important role in the blessed renaissance witnessed by our dear Kingdom.
He added that the Board of Directors was also honored to listen to the directives of His Majesty, may God protect and preserve him, regarding the great responsibilities that our press must assume during the next stage, and its national role in light of a new law that enhances freedom of opinion and expression and regulates electronic media.
The President of the Society noted the keenness of His Majesty the King, may God protect him, to provide all legal means and guarantees within the advanced legislative and legal system in Bahrain, which meet the aspirations of journalists and enable them to perform their roles with all efficiency, professionalism and credibility, and in accordance with controls and commitment to the ethics, traditions and charters of the profession.
He referred to the great and honorable stances of His Majesty the King in preserving freedoms and caring for the press and all media outlets. He said that His Majesty the King, may God protect and protect him, was the first to call for the establishment of an enlightened law for the press and media free of restrictions, and for the adoption of a day for the Bahraini press, which he considers a tool for enlightenment, culture and spreading awareness, in addition to His Majesty’s annual participation in the celebration of World Press Freedom Day by delivering a sublime speech on this occasion that confirms the great status of the press before His Majesty, may God protect and preserve him.
Al-Shaiji stressed that His Majesty the King unleashed freedom of speech and constructive and responsible criticism as the press had never witnessed before in Bahrain. Accordingly, the Bahraini press witnessed a great renaissance in which opinions and pens diversified, which enriched the arena of thought, culture and creativity under the prosperous reign of His Majesty, may God protect and preserve him.
The President of the Bahraini Journalists Association pointed to the great positions of the esteemed government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, in supporting and assisting the national press, especially in light of the unprecedented challenges that this sector is witnessing in all countries of the world. He said that the positions of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa had the greatest impact in enabling the press to perform its role in a positive and responsible spirit as it is the conscience of the people whose good aspirations the government is keen to achieve.
He stressed that this great royal appreciation for the national press calls us to bear our national responsibilities with all honesty, sincerity and efficiency, and to enhance the national journalistic contribution in the process of development and prosperity that our dear Kingdom is witnessing under the leadership of His Majesty the Great King, may God protect and preserve him, and to support and assist His Highness the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, may God protect him.
