BNA signs Tolerance Charter for News Agencies and Media Outlets

Abu Dhabi, Nov. 17 (BNA): Bahrain News Agency (BNA) has signed the ‘Tolerance Charter for News Agencies and Media Outlets’ at the Global Media Congress held in the UAE capital on November 15-17. The charter aims to unite media entities from across the globe around promoting tolerance, coexistence and intercultural dialogue through enhancing international cooperation. BNA Director General Abdullah Khalil Buhejji said the charter at the ceremony attended by UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Information Minister Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi. The charter was also signed by representatives of Arab and foreign news agencies and media outlets from various countries as they responded to large-scale commitment to focus on spreading the values and principles of human coexistence by sharing diverse news content that supports the approach. "Supporting, promoting and spreading the values of coexistence and peace are basic components of the approach of the Kingdom of Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa," Buhejji said. "They are based on His Majesty’s firm belief in the importance of these values in achieving development and progress for humanity. They are also a testament to the Kingdom of Bahrain's deep history of fraternity, pluralism and humanity for and among all." Bahrain's media in all its sectors operate within this royal vision and in a way that contributes to introducing the world to the unique Bahraini model of human coexistence within programs and strategies that enhance this dimension inherent in Bahraini society, he added. Buhejji noted that BNA's signing of the Tolerance Charter reflects the royal vision. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to Information Minister Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi for his interest in developing the Bahraini media to achieve higher standards. Buhejji commended the Emirates News Agency (WAM) for its outstanding efforts to prepare the charter that will reinforce international cooperation on producing content that deepens the culture and values of dialogue and peaceful existence. The Tolerance Charter for the Media is built around the following principles and ethical commitments: - Believing that efforts to strengthen tolerance and acceptance of differences in terms of faiths, cultures, languages, and opinions, are an important part of building modern states and societies. - Believing that the media have a primary role to play in highlighting manifestations of tolerance in our midst and disseminating the values thereof among audiences - Believing that the theme of tolerance deserves constant follow-up in order to ensure peaceful coexistence of diverse identities, faiths, ideologies, and viewpoints within and beyond the borders of our respective countries, viewing it as a precondition for sustainable development, building harmonious futures and developing our civilisational potential. - Agreeing to exchange and publicise news stories related to tolerance in various formats such as print, audio, video and digital, as an action course to inspire people across the globe to live tolerant lives and foster harmonious societies. - The signatories agreeing that the following are among the contents that they will try to promote actively on their platforms from their partners' platforms: A. Stories that portray various manifestations of tolerance and coexistence. B. Projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening a culture of tolerance launched by both the governments and private sector entities. C. Legislations and policies aimed at promoting tolerance and curbing intolerance and extremism. D. Stories that can help in the fight against hatred, sectarianism, extremism, terrorism, exclusivism, discrimination and chauvinism. - Highlighting, as a matter of especial priority, stories that focus on the role of the youth in building tolerant communities towards a brighter future. The agreement is not binding but it is rather a declaration of willingness, with the decisions to be made solely according to the discretion of each of the signatories.