Info Minister: Kuwait backs freedom of expression
Sheikh Salman reiterates Kuwait’s support for freedom of expression
Kuwait supports freedom of opinion and expression and will fight violence in all its forms through a media strategy involving both public and private media organizations, a senior government official said yesterday. This strategy is needed because of the cultural and artistic invasion that affected the Arab world’s television and social media, which have content of entrenched violence among young people, said Minister of Information Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem AlHomoud Al-Sabah. “This is a real challenge that needs to stop, as it has become a security burden before being a social problem,” he added.
Sheikh Salman, also Minister of State for Youth Affairs, made his statements during a conference that kicked off yesterday at Crowne Plaza Hotel under the theme ‘Media and Violence.’ He attended the event on behalf of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad AlSabah. The event is the first of its kind to be organized by the Union of Arab Media Women.
Sheikh Salman pointed out that the media’s role is not limited to presenting news and entertainment, but also has a noble mission, which is to serve the community by providing educational and intellectual awareness to enrich the human mind to participate in construction and development. “Its mission is also to face all shapes and forms of corruption, which is achieved with the development of civilization and societal stability that we cannot find in a place where violence or ideology is adopted within a society of tolerance, brotherhood and peace.” He said that His Highness the Prime Minister hopes that the conference will come out with recommendations that would support the message of confronting the ideology of violence and extremism.
Vice President of the Union of Arab Media Women in Kuwait Raba’a Hussein Makki said Kuwait always supports any Arab action that enhances the nation, strengthens ties and boosts prosperity and development. “Everyone believes that the media has become very influential. There are a lot of people who use the media to broadcast dangerous and toxic political, social and religious views and ideas that are suspicious and distorted. Some media aim to promote and strengthen community ties, while others do not,” she said.
Dream come true
President of the Union of Arab Media Women Asmaa’ Habashi said the union is a dream come true and has become a presence in the Arab media arena by marking various events and occasions such as celebrating Arab women on Women’s Day and honoring women elite who are outstanding in various fields. She added that the union has held training sessions for affiliates in partnership with development institutions and media events for many festivals, including the Arab Women’s Festival and the Arab Fashion Capital.
She noted that this conference is the result of what Arab communities are witnessing in political instability, which is the reason for the increase in the frequency and level of violence suffered by society as a whole. Women suffer more being the weakest link. “As media presenters, we must face violence against Arab women by evaluating media content that promote sexual violence, killing and kidnapping,” she said.