Getting citizens involved

TDT | Manama

Information Affairs Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi affirmed yesterday that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, believes in the importance of involving 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 to their parents, in the midst of the exceptional circumstances the world is facing as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, he said.

The minister made the statement 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. The Arab League secretary-general, along with the Egyptian, Jordanian and Omani information ministers, in addition to a number of Arab officials, took part in the virtual meeting.

Al Romaihi 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 has 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 desired goals.

The Information 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 COVID-19, 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 media personnel are at the frontlines of the fight against the pandemic, alongside health and security workers.