His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa saluted the press, stressing the importance of “free and honest word” in developing the present and building the future.
“The fourth estate has a crucial role in building nations and supporting sustainable development”, he said, underscoring the importance of the press in shaping public opinion.
In a keynote message on the World Press Freedom Day, which falls on May 3, HRH the Premier paid tribute to the fourth estate and the media which, he said, elevates society, supports development, enlightens minds, elicits creativity and innovation promotes social cohesion and consolidates national security and stability. 
The 2017 World Press Freedom Day is being held this year under the theme “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s Role in Advancing Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies”.
The Premier saluted Bahraini journalists, commending their dedicated role to project to the world the true image of their homeland, as a pioneering country on the level of freedom and development.
He hailed the national press strides, hailing the royal care in the era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who supports media freedom and believes firmly in the importance of the “influential word” in protecting the country’s security and stability.
“Freedom of opinion and expression is enshrined in the constitution which allows journalists to express their views without affecting national unity or social cohesion”, he said.
He took pride in the dedication of Bahraini journalists who reflect, through their objective ideas and views, the aspirations of the nation and citizens, thus contributing fully to the defence of the homeland and the protection of national achievements.
He paid tribute to successive generations of Bahrain writers, columnists and journalists who left an imprint which impacted social development and enlightenment, expressing confidence in the current generation to continue the march.
The Premier urged journalists and the media community to moblise in serving the nation and debunking media fallacies and lies being orchestrated in a bid to destabilize the country and undermine social cohesion.
He stressed the importance of benefiting to the maximum from the new social media in spreading information that serves societies and enhances their development, instead of utilizing them to destabilize nations.
He urged the young generation to arm itself with a wealth of knowledge and benefit fully from technological strides in serving their homeland.
He commended the role of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in consolidating press and media liberties in the world and advocating cultural and human rapprochement for the good of human beings.

Source: BNA