HRH the Crown Prince keen to involve citizens in sate's decisions, says Information Minister

Manama, Aug. 12 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister, Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi, has affirmed that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, believes in the importance of involving the citizens in the decision-making process under various circumstances. This is reflected in HRH the Crown Prince’s directives to leave the choice of in-person or remote learning for students for parents, in the midst of the exceptional circumstances the world is going through as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he said. The minister made the statements while participating in the seventh Arab Media Leaders Forum, organised by the Arab League Secretariat-General, in cooperation with the Arab Media Forum in Kuwait. Arab League Secretary-General, Egyptian, Jordanian and Omani information ministers, in addition to a number of Arab officials took part in the virtual meeting. He stressed that the mutual trust between state institutions and society contributes to achieving common goals and aspirations, and confirms the readiness of the state to deal with all urgent changes, especially in light of the current circumstances, which have proven the importance of adopting a moderate and transparent media discourse that reflects reality without intimidation or underestimation. Al-Romaihi pointed out that social media have become accessible to all, which reinforces the need to spread the culture of the proper use and management of these means in a manner that would achieve the desired goals. The minister said that Bahrain had submitted a proposal to the Arab League’s Arab Information Ministers' meeting on teaching media education in schools to prepare a generation that is educated, responsible and able to use these means. On the role of the media in confronting the novel coronavirus pandemic, the minister stressed that the exceptional circumstances the world is going through have proven the vital role played by the media, in its various platforms, to face all challenges. The Information Minister extended sincere thanks and appreciation to all the affiliates of the press and media for the tremendous efforts they are exerting during this period, noting that the media personnel are at the frontlines of the fight against the pandemic, alongside the health and security workers.