Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has urged more joint Arab media co-operation.

The work of Arab news agencies is becoming more difficult in the light of a rapid spread of social media networks, and the continuous smear campaigns staged against GCC and Arab countries, which requires them to adopt new effective plans and approaches that enable them to face the challenges, he pointed out, in a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The Premier underlined the crucial role played by Arab mass media and news agencies in strengthening Arab people's unity and stability and confronting the plots targeting the region to spread chaos and destruction.

He called upon them to project the real situation and refute the defamatory and misleading campaigns to undermine the Arab nation.

He voiced the stances as he received at Gudaibiya Palace the heads and directors of Arab news agencies taking part in the 42nd general assembly meeting of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (Fana).

The Premier stressed the importance of sincere stances and high awareness in facing the challenges currently faced by the region, noting that the media should shoulder their responsibilities in enlightening Arab public opinion.

He emphasised the need to step up joint Arab action in all fields, including the media, to ensure the success of Arab countries' efforts to enhance development.

He welcomed Bahrain's hosting of the Fana meeting.

He lauded the Arab news agencies' steady development and keenness to adopt the latest media techniques, commitment to media professional ethics and efforts to provide modern and advanced media services.

Saudi Press Agency chairman and Fana president Abdulla bin Fahad Al Hussain thanked the Premier for his interest in and appreciation of the media.

He lauded the freedom of opinion and expression prevailing in the kingdom thanks to the Premier's efforts. He congratulated the Premier on his safe return to the kingdom.

Al Hussain also praised the outstanding success of the parliamentary and municipal elections in Bahrain, which, he said, reflects the democratic atmosphere enjoyed by the kingdom. - TradeArabia News Service