Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi stressed that holding the fourth edition of the Arabian Gulf Political Media Forum is part of the commitment of Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) to carrying out the reform directives and humanitarian values of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Addressing the symposium, held today under the theme "Media and Gulf Identity", the minister underlined the role of the media in boosting political awareness and preserving Bahrain's historic fundamentals as an active member and a key partner in the GCC progress towards union while holding on to the constitutional provisions and the principles of the National Action Charter.

Speaking at the forum, organized by BIPD under the patronage of Deputy Premier Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the minister emphasized the need for Arab satellite channels to work on projecting the cultural and civilizational identity of the GCC countries as well as the Arab and Islamic history. He underlined the importance of braving contemporary media, cultural and security challenges, pointing out the growing use of social media websites worldwide. 

The minister pointed out a boom in the media and telecommunication field and its change into a major international industry worth up to $2 trillion. He also warned of the repercussions of misusing conventional and modern mass media, pointing out attempts by some sectarian satellite channels to drive wedges in the GCC communities by disseminating misleading ideologies, inciting violence and hatred, tampering with the Arab identity, disclosing false concepts on Islam, the Arabs and Arab women, downgrading the GCC customs and traditions and defaming the Gulf and Arab countries. 

Al Romaihi underscored the significance of the symposium in tackling various issues facing the Gulf and Arab region, including mainly the preservation of the Gulf identity amid current political, security, cultural and media challenges as well as boosting the role of the media in this regard. He pointed out the efforts of the GCC countries to protect their national security, counter terrorism and face regional and international interference in their internal affairs. He emphasized that the Gulf media have a national and civilizational responsibility of promoting the GCC, Arab and Islamic identity, citizenship, cooperation and the move towards the GCC union.

The minister called on the media to consolidate cohesion of the GCC community, protect the moral texture and immunize citizens religiously, culturally, historically and socially. He urged to foster citizenship and patriotism, confront foreign interference and suspicious attempts to drive wedges on religious, sectarian and ethnic basis. He also called to promote the Arab language and its use in mass media, being the symbol of the civilizational and cultural identity. Besides, he called to highlight and disseminate the GCC cultural heritage and provide an objective image of Arab women.

Al Romaihi asserted Bahrain's unwavering keenness on backing the GCC joint projects, stressing the need to boost GCC joint media action and its effectiveness in strengthening national unity and protecting the cultural and civilizational identity against intellectual invasion. He also pointed out the importance of relying on qualified national competencies and the need to place the national interest as well as the GCC, Arab and Islamic identity above any narrow ideological, sectarian and ethnic considerations.