Information Minister hails media’s vital role in disclosing information

TDT | Manama

The media plays a vital role in disclosing news and raising awareness under exceptional circumstances, with a national and humanitarian responsibility to report verified information, said the Minister of Information Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi.

Speaking at the Arab Media Forum (AMF)’s opening session, held virtually for the first time under the theme of “the Media amidst Changes”, the Information Minister stressed the change in official media and its growing importance in disclosing truthful and trusted information in our current world.

Al Romaihi highlighted that the outbreak of the coronavirus global crisis has made it especially difficult to differentiate between underestimation and exaggeration. Adopting a balanced media discourse based on transparency, disclosing correct information and keeping the public informed about the health situation was a win for Bahrain, he said.

Media Laws Regarding media laws and their restrictions on freedom, Al Romaihi said that the laws only intend to regulate media discourse while preserving the rights of all and not restricting freedom. This regulation, he added, has become the demand of mass media and media persons themselves are in support of it with the spread of social media networks and their impact on the propagation and access of fake news.

Arab-Western media comparison Responding to a question comparing the Arab and western media’s response to the crisis, Al Romaihi stated that earlier examples have proved that the western media is not an example to be emulated, considering how they can be influenced by external forces.

In their coverage of the coronavirus crisis they oscillated between downplaying and exaggerating the reality, causing major losses. He pointed out that the Arab media, on the other hand, proved its awareness, commitment and ability to assume professional responsibility competently.