Ministry moving forward with media development plans

Manama, Jan. 24 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi pointed out the ministry's engagement in its development project, noting the development of Bahrain TV as a positive result achieved by Bahrainis in the early development stages, and underlining the ministry's commitment to boost the performance of its departments. Al-Romaihi said the ministry continues to address unhealthy social phenomena, including negative attitudes and practices that are alien to the Bahraini society, highlighting the ministry's continuous efforts in protecting the community from publications that are incompatible with customs and traditions and sow seeds of discord. Addressing the parliament, the minister called for concerted community efforts to fight alien attitudes and practices, stressing the significance of a social commitment to protecting the society and the youth. Al-Romaihi said that the ministry did not present a development strategy, but succeeded in achieving concrete results mainly in the development of Bahrain T. He added that media required regular development and updating every six months, which made planning a five-year strategy highly difficult. The minister said the success of media development required competent national youth to contribute to the implementation of plans and projects, vowing to bring further achievements. Concerning the press law, the minister said the current one was issued in 2002, and the ministry prepared a draft law that included articles related to e-media and submitted it to a specialised Cabinet committee after consultations with experts, editors in chief and media associations. Al-Romaihi added there were contacts with the Civil Service Bureau to create new opportunities to recruit inspectors to help deal with the increasing number of publications that contain ideas contrary to the local customs, traditions and religion and incite sedition.