I was overjoyed recently to read the news article about Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s decree to establish a high-level committee, headed by Chairman of the Monitoring and Investigation Board Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Nafie, to inquire into a recent report in the Arabic daily Al-Watan about certain happenings at the mental hospital in Taif.
Setting up the committee points to two important factors. First, to King Abdullah’s awareness of the huge responsibility resting on his shoulders, making him unwilling to tolerate any excess whatsoever anywhere under his jurisdiction.
Second, the king’s appreciation of the role of the press in serving the country, particularly by uncovering the weak spots in the administration which might stand in the way of the ruler achieving his goal in the Ministry of Health or any other area for that matter.
There may, no doubt, be lapses and excesses at the top, middle and lower rungs of the executive wing of the administration. Such failures can only be detected by a determined and honest investigation. Of course the government has its own investigative apparatus but the role of the press is deeper and more extensive. The role of the press is, in fact, more serious, far-reaching and faster. The king has underscored this role and is determined to support it strongly. That is why he ordered the setting up of a committee to find out the details of the excesses revealed by a journalist. The high-level committee, which certainly understands the weight of its responsibility, will submit its report on the incident shortly. I am concerned, not about the event because now it rests in the hands of the committee. On the other hand, I am now concerned about the king’s support which prompted him to ask the committee to thank the journalist, Tariq Al-Thaqfi who prepared the investigative report and the newspaper that published it. Moreover it is a message to all government employees in the Kingdom that the fourth estate is the eye and right hand of the state.
