KUWAIT PM REJECTS MEDIA RESTRICTIONS

HH the PM Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah with Kuwait Times deputy Editor in Chief Dr Ziad Al-Alyan Kuwait, 16 Jumadil Akhir 1434/25 April 2013 (MINA) – Prime Minister of Kuwait Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Wednesday (24/4) received President of Kuwait Journalists Association and Editors-in-Chief of local newspapers in the presence of the Information Minister and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah at the Amiri tent in Bayan Palace.

According to Kuwait News Agency reports monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) the meeting was to exchange views on the Unified Media Law.

“If there is anything that we are proud of in Kuwait – it is our press freedom,” Al Hamad said, adding that there are no intentions to muzzle the media. The Prime Minister said that he rejects any restriction on freedom of press.

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Al Hamad said, “Even though we get displeased sometimes with some of the publications, it does not mean that we will close the media.”

“Why can’t we be realistic and sit down and discuss those problems,” he wondered.

The Prime Minister expressed his confidence in Kuwait journalism and their keenness on the country’s interests, expressing his readiness to “listen to the opinion of the Editors-in-Chief in regards to the unified media law or other topics that are of interest to the media.” He said that the government is not against the press – rather it supports it and is proud of it. “Kuwait Journalism is a pioneer in defending the country both domestically and abroad, even if it criticized the government’s performance,” he stressed.

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HH Sheikh Jaber called for a frank dialogue between the government and press to address loopholes and tackle the concerns of both sides.

“We consult and exchange points of view with you to help reach a compromise that does not infringe upon press freedom and its mission and at the same time helps in the fulfillment of the interests of the state of Kuwait and its people,” he said.

He also urged journalists to keep in touch with the government and to present their proposals for amending the bill before referring it to the National Assembly. (P07)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)