State Minister for Information during her weekly briefing told journalists that statements of HRH Prince Salman were realistic and reflects his keenness not to mix politics with sports and support for the dialogue, stressing that the media outlets which exaggerated in disseminating fallacies regarding the situation in Bahrain without verifying their sources of information will be dealt with soon.
“We have never claimed that we don’t have a political issue’ but it should be resolved through dialogue and not through destruction or driving the country into channels that worsen the crisis and not solve it,” the Minister asserted.
Regarding the dissemination of the so-called “violent incidents” in the streets of Bahrain, the Minister of State said that the media outlets which spread lies without verifying its sources would be dealt with soon, expressing thanks to the owner of the commercial rights of F1 Bernie Ecclestone who asserted that Bahrain was a safe place for holding the Grand Prix race.
Responding to a question on the video aired by Al-Alam Channel in which a masked person threatened to conduct explosions during the F 1 race in Bahrain, the Minister of State said that what was broadcast by that channel reflected its identity as well as that of those who support it, who have never stopped causing harm to the kingdom of Bahrain, adding that those heinous acts will support the kingdom’s stance to put the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezballah in the list of terrorist organisations.
On the deportation of three foreign media reps, she said that hundreds of media figures had entered the Kingdom recently to cover the F 1 and were granted all necessary facilities and freedom to carry out their duties, expressing regret over some journalists’ failure to abide by the country’s laws.
Concerning the Media Staff’s Pay Scale, she explained that the wise leadership was keen to upgrade the status of the media personnel in order to improve the media performance for the interests of the nation, noting that there were two draft pay scale examined separately by the Civil Sevice Bureau and the Representatives Council, and a Press Law would be approved in the near future.
Samira Rajab affirmed the on-going joint cooperation between the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches, pointing out to the binding orders to ministers to attend the Parliament’s sessions whenever possible.
Regarding the attacks on Al-Jabiriya Technical Boys School and the acts of rioting in its vicinity, she said all such incidents were rejected by countries all over the world, stressing the need to take stringent measures in such a case.
The Minister of State also pointed out to a GCC media strategy aiming to come up with new media establishments that cooperate in GCC affairs, noting that GCC media is united, especially in key issues.