His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa paid tribute to press and media professionals as the world celebrates the World Press Freedom Day under the theme "Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media's role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies."
In his statement, HM the King stressed the rights guaranteed under comprehensive reforms to all journalists to seek out and use information and to express their opinions independently and freely, drawing on their responsibility towards the higher interests of the nation and abiding by professional and ethical standards. 
"We are pleased to extend our greetings and appreciation to all journalists and media professionals on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day," HM the King said.
"This special day is an important international event in which we reaffirm our support for the free and responsible speech and our pride in our national media, its history since the 1930s and its crucial role as a fundamental partner in the process of comprehensive and sustainable reforms and development.
"We stress our satisfaction with the participation of the international press community and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in celebrating World Press Freedom Day under the theme "Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media's role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies" as part of our shared awareness of the role of responsible and free press and pluralistic media in building nations, spreading the values of peace and justice and consolidating democracy and sustainable development.
"We have been keen since the launch of our reforms, supported by an unprecedented popular approval, on providing the constitutional guarantees and appropriate environment for journalists and media professionals to exercise their rights to seek and use information and to express their opinions independently and freely without restriction, drawing on their responsibility towards the higher interests of the nation and abiding by professional and ethical standards. 
"We have always believed that press and media freedoms are a civilizational value and a basic right to knowledge, the use of information and freedom of expression.
A free press has always been a cornerstone of our democratic society under a legislative, judicial and rights system that guarantees freedom of newspaper publication, distribution and independence, respects intellectual property rights, protects journalists' rights and dignity, and encourages them to innovate and to enlighten public opinion without restrictions or intimidation.
In this respect, we pride ourselves in the performance of our independent human rights institutions and civil society associations for their unprecedented role in the region in guaranteeing human rights and political, civil and cultural freedoms, including freedom of expression. We appreciate in particular the effective role of the Bahrain Journalists Association in uniting journalists and protecting their professional achievements and rights while affirming their commitment to their mission in accordance with the law and their Charter of Honour.
"On this World Press Freedom Day, we renew our pride and pride in our national and independent media advanced professional levels and remarkable developments in the their performances, programme diversification and strong impact thanks to their active participation in consolidating the rule of law, institutions and good governance through the exercise of substantive and constructive criticism within an atmosphere of transparency, pluralism and cultural and intellectual openness.
"We express our deep appreciation of the efforts by the Ministry of Information Affairs and its personnel to develop the media and communication sector through all its channels, to train national staff, embrace young and creative talents of both sexes, implement advanced technical projects, update the legislative framework, enhance the security and stability of the country, deepen its ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab world, and disseminate the values of unity, moderation and tolerance derived from our human history, Islamic civilisation and our authentic Arab values.
"To further this media message, we have directed government ministries and agencies to continue their steady coordination with the Ministry of Information Affairs in disseminating facts and information and improving the professional and social situation of journalists and media professionals.
"On this international day, we stress that our respect for the rights of journalists and press and media institutions to freedom of expression, publication, printing, access to and circulation of information in a free and independent media environment is a consistent strategic approach in our democratic and civilized process. 
Such guaranteed rights makes these institutions and all their personnel assume their professional duties and obligations and moral integrity in the protection of the rights, security, integrity, cohesion and public morals of the society through genuine words, its religious values ??and its legitimate entitlements in accordance with the Constitution, the law and the international covenants.
"We are confident in your national and national consciousness and your awareness that the media are not just tools for disseminating news and information without verifying their accuracy and credibility, but rather institutions with a fundamental human message. 
"The world and our region are facing growing threats of violent extremism, the spread of despicable religious and sectarian hatred, the emergence of terrorist organisations and their grave threats to the integrity of the civilian state and their targeting of regional and international security and peace.
"We affirm our appreciation of the sincere and honest national discourse and our pride in the honorable media stance regarding the deliberate campaigns against the Kingdom of Bahrain, which have implicated external parties that do not want our country to move forward and progress.
"They engaged in deceitful endeavours and resorted to misleading claims, misinformation and rumours both at home and abroad in failed malicious attempts to target our reforms, obstruct our national democratic and developmental process and harm the decent, secure and stable lives of our children within an environment of human, civilizational and economic progress.
"We are proud of the honourable history of our country which has throughout the ages established religious and sectarian coexistence, respect for ethnic and cultural diversity, and international initiatives to spread the culture of peace. Our country has, throughout its history, promoted understanding, cooperation, mutual respect among peoples and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions. 
Within our historic responsibilities, we call for a regional and international partnership to promote ethics, morals and principles in the traditional and modern media.
"In this regard, we look forward to the media performing their duties in promoting the spirit of national unity within societies, spreading human values and the religious teachings of tolerance, moderation and moderation, and enlightening peoples about the dangers of inciting divisions, sectarianism, religious hatred, violence and terrorism.
We believe that there is an urgent need to take the necessary measures to rein in the security and moral chaos in the media, electronic and otherwise, through the commitment of the international satellite channels and the various media to international conventions by fully embracing accuracy, honesty and objectivity in presenting their news and opinions. 
"They should also adopt international partnerships in promoting the safe and rational use of the Internet and social media, in avoiding incitement, defamation or violation of public morals and promoting effective cooperation in the fight against all types of cybercrimes.
"In conclusion, we affirm that we are convinced that the free and pluralistic media committed to the values of integrity and transparency in their mission and credibility and objectivity in their direction and which are keen to place loyalty to the nation and its supreme interests and tolerance at the top of their priorities, are our main pillars in advancing our countries towards further progress and prosperity and achieving the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan for the establishment of safe, peaceful and prosperous global societies.
"We pray to God Almighty to help us succeed in achieving the welfare and interests of our beloved kingdom and its loyal citizens, safeguarding its security and stability, moving on with further reforms and progress in various democratic, economic and social fields, and strengthening the bonds of friendship and tolerance among all peoples and civilisations."

Source: BNA