Minister denies pre-censorship in media bill, welcomes consultation

KUWAIT CITY, April 15: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah, assured on Monday that “there is no prior censorship on media in Unified Media draft law”.

“The Ministry of Information, as a specialized entity, has put forth proposals and amendments which emphasize on media freedom by replacing prison sentences with financial penalties in order to relieve the media sector,” he explained, following a meeting with the parliament’s education, culture and guidance affairs committee. Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah assured that the government’s project seeks “meaningful and purposeful media and more freedoms”, noting prior censorship or licensing of social electronic media is absent from the government’s law. He added that any observations or suggestions by the lawmakers are welcome.

On his part, MP Khaled Al-Shulaimi said his committee expressed its reservations on the law to the Information Minister and “explained to him the fears of the media sector”. He said the law will not be approved until it is discussed with chiefs of the media sector. Meanwhile, MP Maasouma Al-Mubarak said the

financial committee and women’s affairs committee has approved an amendment to the housing care law so that housing loans of men and women are equal. ‘Single women who are 40 years of age and above can also apply for housing care without the requirement of a house mate,” she added, noting that ‘women are citizens and their rights should not be considered as a burden on the budget”.

Moreover, the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee approved the granting of exceptional pensions and bonuses to military retirees who were non-commissioned officers and personnel. The Foreign Affairs Committee further approved a number of international agreements with the State of Kuwait.