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The Secretary-General of the Gulf Press Union, Issa Al-Shayji, described saying that press freedoms available in the GCC countries are ideal as an exaggeration, at a time when he believes that saying that press freedoms in these countries are restricted and restricted and that they are living in their darkest days is also exaggerated, pointing out that The development of press freedoms depends on the societal movement that cannot be bypassed and cannot be found through a decision.
Al-Shayji added, on the occasion of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, which UNESCO celebrates tomorrow, and this year it is held under the slogan “Bright Minds in Difficult Times: The Role of the Media in Building and Promoting Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies for All.” He added that the reports issued by some suspicious parties that seek To spread the idea that the cooperation countries are violating the right to freedom of expression; worthless reports; Because the reality contradicts them and because the purposes and goals of those parties have become exposed, indicating that a remarkable development is taking place in the Gulf press and an expanding margin that this press enjoys, and that a “free and independent media environment based on pluralism” is one of the things that characterize the GCC countries and only those who are wrapped in negativity deny it, considering The state of freedom of the press in the countries of cooperation is no less than that in the countries of the world that raise the status of the press and journalists, but rather it is distinguished from it in many fields.
Freedom is not cursing and violating privacy
Al-Shayji warned that the adoption of the negative concept of freedom of the press by some makes them accuse freedom of the press in the GCC countries, as freedom of the press does not mean the practice of insulting and insulting, nor does it mean violating the privacy of others and publishing what may cause harm to the homelands and threaten its security and safety.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Press Union also said that access to information in the countries of the Cooperation Council is a guaranteed right for the Gulf press, but he called for an increase in this margin, and he noted the role played by all Gulf journalistic bodies that defend press freedoms and do not abandon journalists as long as they continue to work. for the benefit of their countries.
Al-Shayji took advantage of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day to praise the initiative of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to allocate a day for the Bahraini press and an award in the name of His Highness to encourage the press workers to exert more efforts to excel and promote the local and Gulf press, and called on the concerned authorities in each of the countries The Cooperation Council to celebrate its journalists and allocate a similar day for them and a prize that provides them with an opportunity for creativity and more giving.
Okaz (Jeddah)