His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has urged more joint Arab media cooperation, noting that the work of Arab news agencies is becoming more difficult in light of the rapid spread of social media networks, and the continuous smear campaigns staged against GCC and Arab countries, which requires them to adopt new effective plans and approaches that enable them to face the increasing challenges facing them.
HRH Premier underlined the crucial role played by Arab mass media and news agencies in strengthening Arab peoples' unity and stability and confronting the plots targeting the region for the sake of spreading chaos and destruction, calling upon them to project the real image of the situation, and refute the defamatory and misleading campaigns intended to undermine the Arab Nation's potentials.
He voiced the stances as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today the heads and directors of Arab news agencies, currently in the kingdom to take part in the 42nd General Assembly Meeting of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA).
HRH Premier stressed the importance of sincere stances and high awareness in facing the rapid challenges currently faced by the region, noting that the media should shoulder their responsibilities in enlightening the Arab public opinion.
He emphasised the need to step up joint Arab action in all fields, including the media, in order to ensure the success of the Arab countries' efforts to enhance development in the present and the future.
He welcomed Bahrain's hosting of FANA's 42nd General Assembly, noting that the kingdom has always hosted functions and events aiming to upgrade joint Arab action at all levels.
HRH Premier lauded the Arab news agencies' steady development and keenness to adopt the latest media techniques, commitment to media professional ethics and efforts to provide modern and advanced media services.
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Chairman and FANA President Abdulla bin Fahad Al-Hussain extended sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH Premier for his interest in and appreciation of the media and press, lauding the freedom of opinion and expression prevailing in the kingdom thanks to his efforts.
He expressed utmost congratulations to HRH Premier on his safe return to the kingdom.
He also praised the outstanding success of the parliamentary and municipal elections in Bahrain, which, he said, reflects the democratic atmosphere enjoyed by the kingdom.