Royal directives beacon for responsible media handling of coronavirus pandemic

Manama, June 15 (BNA): Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi lauded the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to deal wisely and humanely with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He described them as a beacon in responsible media work, on the basis of transparency, credibility, efficiency and effectiveness, to raise social awareness of taking part positively in protecting public health and safety. The Information Minister praised the directives of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to the ministries and governmental institutions to communicate with the mass media and respond effectively to citizens’ complaints and queries. He took pride in the role of the national media as a key partner in backing the dedicated efforts of Bahrain taskforce, under the leadership of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. The Information Minister thanked the national media and press cadres for their commitment to honesty and objectivity in disclosing news fast and accurately. He also commended their role in boosting social awareness of decisions, guidelines and official procedures to protect public health and safety. He emphasised the impact of those efforts on boosting confidence in the responsible official media and its commitment to the ethics of the profession. The Information Minister reviewed the role of the national media in broadcasting 17 press conferences of the National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus (COVID-19) live on TV and radio channels and digital and news platforms. He also pointed out the publication of more than 5300 news, reports and polls in Arabic and English, including more than 1000 local news on Bahrain News Agency (BNA). He added 13 TV programmes were presented, including four in English. He noted there were also 1600 news reports, 3133 subtitles in the news bar in both languages, more than 250 TV awareness timeouts, 26 radio timeouts and 8 timeouts in seven languages to raise awareness of the expats. He also pointed out the activation of the digital accounts of the ministry and all its sectors to re-broadcast all news, reports and timeouts on social media networks and continue the awareness campaign “Say Good” to urge users to use good words. The Information Minister underscored the role of the National Communication Centre (NCC) in unifying the official media discourse through the government communication network. He pointed out the centre’s role in boosting communication with local and international mass media by broadcasting 870 media messages in Arabic and English. He added there were also 30 files for weekly messages, the editing of 20 journal articles, 8 analytical reports, the promotion of 16 electronic platforms for government bodies, the support of 45 national digital initiatives, the publication of 46 designed reports, the re-publication of many success stories on the national preemptive procedures and the monitoring of 1508 news and 4127 news sites notifications. The Information Minister also pointed out the centre’s response to 138 queries from local, regional and international mass media. He added the centre also published 262 news and reports in local and foreign media, communicated with various mass media to facilitate holding TV interviews with officials and organised 12 media visits to Intensive Care Units at the Military Hospital and the field hospital in Sitra to inform the public about the efforts of the medical and paramedical cadres. The Information Minister lauded partnership with the Ministry of Education in producing more than 396 televised educational sessions and broadcasting them on Bahrain Sport 2 channel and the digital platforms to ensure sustainability of “distance learning”. He pointed out contribution of Bahrain TV in “Feena Khair” voluntary campaign which was launched by Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He noted that the campaign yielded donations worth $ 100 million to back the national efforts to combat COVID-19. The Information Minister stressed keenness of the ministry on assuming its media role in a healthy and safe work environment by adhering to the preemptive measures like sterilization, applying work-at-home system for working mothers, the attendance of 30% of the staff, respecting social distancing and using modern technologies in performing duties. He pointed out the production of an average of 191 live TV programmes per month, 88 recorded ones, 240 news bulletins, 97 news programmes and 255 live radio programmes, as part of the ministry’s regular coverage of diverse local, regional and international issues. The Information Minister affirmed the ministry’s ongoing efforts to consolidate the role of the media in preserving national security and stability as well as people’s safety by disclosing news and information accurately, rapidly, transparently and credibly. He also underlined contribution of the media to promoting tolerance and coexistence, commending the role of the medical and paramedical cadres, alongside the security and media personnel, in boosting social awareness and rallying ranks to overcome the global pandemic, confront rumours and defamatory campaigns and continue the march of achievements in the prosperous era of HM the King.