Bahrain is to set up a communication centre tasked with unifying the government narrative and institutionalising official media-related work.

The National Communication Centre (NCC) will have a significant role in informing citizens and residents of government plans and initiatives and in establishing relationships with local, regional and international media outlets, the cabinet said in a statement on Monday following its weekly session.

“The cabinet agreed to take the constitutional procedures of the draft decree to establish and regulate the National Communication Centre,” the statement said.

No date was given about when the NCC would be launched, but Information Affairs Minister Ali Al Romaihi said that the centre would become operational soon after a royal decree is issued regarding its establishment and regulation as a government body affiliated with the information minister.

“The centre will be in charge of promoting integration and coordination between ministries and government bodies by mapping out strategies of government media narrative and monitoring their execution and development,” he said in a statement carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

The centre will be made up of directorates tasked with monitoring, analyses, digital media, communication, media relations and strategic planning.

“The NCC will work on building strong and influential relations with the foreign media by taking the initiative in elucidating the truth through coordination with relevant parties. It will also work on unifying national efforts in handling emergencies and crises as well as countering false and defamatory campaigns,” said Al Romaihi who was given the information portfolio in March

source : gulfnews