Bahrain has proposed a special fund to serve as a lifeline for GCC newspapers facing financial difficulties.

This came as Culture and Information Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa patronised the opening of a two-day second Gulf Press Union conference at Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel Residence and Spa, Manama.

She praised GCC Press strides, stressing more technical and professional co-operation. She also called for more GCC projects to anchor the freedom of opinion, promote GCC national identity and project Gulf history and heritage to the world.

Union president Turki Al Sediri paid tribute to His Majesty, hailing media openness and Press freedom as well as the landmark reform project. Secretary-general Nasser Mohammed Al Othman said the union had issued a book on GCC publishing laws.

Shaikha Mai then opened an exhibition on the sidelines.-TradeArabia News Service