IAA's Executive Steps to Create Unified GCC News Agencies' Website

Acting Director of the Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) Ali bin Mohammed Al Rumaihi headed here today the kingdom's delegation to the meeting of GCC Information Ministers' Undersecretaries, held here today in preparation for the 19th meeting of the GCC Information Ministers due to kick-start tomorrow at the Emirates Palace. During the meeting, GCC Information Undersecretaries lauded the executive steps taken by the Information Affairs Authority (IAA), represented by the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), to create a unified account for all GCC news agencies on social networking systems, proposed by BNA during the 14th meeting of the directors of GCC news agencies, held in Riyadh on September 19. In this regard, the Assistant Secretary General for Cultural and Media Affairs at the GCC Secretariat-General Dr. Khalid Al Ghassani praised the steps taken by IAA in a record time to invite GCC news agencies' technicians in order to make the final technical settings and preparations for the Unified GCC News Agencies Website so as to be implemented soon after the approval GCC Information Ministers, during their meeting tomorrow. On his part, Ali Al Rumaihi highlighted the importance of enhancing the on-going joint GCC media Cooperation for the sake of promoting GCC citizenship, stressing that IAA, led by its President Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, is doing its utmost to implement all joint GCC projects for the common interests of GCC citizens. Following the meeting, BRTC Acting Director said that about 80% of the 700 Arab satellite channels are funded by GCC businessmen, calling upon the latter to support the joint GCC media action so as to consolidate and strengthen GCC unity and citizenship. He also pointed out that the meeting focused on a number of issues, including the activation of joint GCC media action and the implementation of the GCC Media Strategy endorsed by GCC leaders during their meeting in Riyadh last May. He also expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to UAE officials for the tremendous efforts they have exerted to ensure the success of such a major GCC meeting. The kingdom's delegation to the meeting also included BNA Acting Director Muhannad Suleiman and Acting Director of Press and Publications at IAA Yussef Mohammed Ismail.