Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan receiving a memento from the Assistant Undersecretary for Planning at the Ministry of Information Mohammed Al-Awash

KUWAIT: Kuwait Times was honored in several categories at Tuesday night’s Arab Media Forum. Kuwait Times founder Yousuf Al-Alyan was recognized for his important and pioneering role in early media in Kuwait, while Islam Al-Sharaa and Hanan Al-Saadoun were honored for serving more than 20 years in the newspaper industry here.

The Arab Media Forum, now in its third year, seeks to recognize and honor the diverse body of journalists, editors and media staff that contribute to the development and evolution of Kuwait’s media sector. Held under the patronage of the Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud Al- Sabah, the forum this year honored more than 80 local media personalities and staff. “By organizing this ceremony, we say thank you to all those who spent their time, effort and work in developing Kuwaiti media to help it attain a leading position among Arab media,” said Madhi Al-Khamis, Secretary-General of the Arab Media Forum and editor of Al Kuwaitiyah newspaper. “This honoring is for both citizens and expats who have spent long years in serving the local media... I would like to thank all those who participated in making this event successful for the third consecutive year.”

Mohammed Al-Awash, the Assistant Undersecretary for Planning at the Ministry of Information, spoke on behalf of the minister, where he said that the media personalities honored at this ceremony participated in developing Kuwait through their services and are an example for younger generations working in the media and press.

Sheikh Salman recently added a new division to the ministry - the media services and new media department. “This department is part of the government’s vision of spreading Kuwaiti media’s message through all electronic media, which is now prevailing over traditional media in terms of reach and effect,” stressed Awash.

To fill the legislation gap of electronic media and organize it, the ministry of information prepared an electronic media law and spent a long time discussing it with experts, MPs and social media users. “The ministry would like to assure that this new law does not include personal accounts of social media users. It also does not limit freedoms that are set by the constitution. The law organizes the duties and rights of those on whom it applies.

The law is currently in the parliament to be discussed by the education committee,” he noted. “The ministry of information has launched a section on the official website of the ministry to receive opinions and queries on this law and provide answerers, and all suggestions will be respected,” concluded Awash.

By Nawara Fattahova