GPU to institute journalism prize

The Gulf Press Union yesterday decided to institute an annual journalism prize, hold a forum for Gulf women journalists and increase the number of members in its general secretariat to 14.
The union’s third meeting, which was held here with the participation of more than 40 editors in chief of the Arab Gulf region’s main newspapers, authorized the secretariat to set out the rules and conditions for the prize.
However, it insisted that the new prize should not clash with the existing prizes issued by Gulf media organizations. The meeting wanted two members from each GCC country that has three or more media institutions.
Bahraini Information Affairs Authority (IAA) President Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa opened the meeting and reiterated his country’s unflinching support to the union, which was formed seven years ago.
He emphasized the need to upgrade journalism professionally, boost media freedom, exchange experiences and information, organize training sessions and support press establishments to overcome financial and technical hardships.
Nabil bin Yaqoob Al Hamer, media adviser to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, GPU President Turki bin Abdullah Al-Sudairy and Chairman of the Council of Gulf International Relations Tariq Al-Shammari attended the meeting.
Sheikh Fawaz underlined the importance of the meeting which coincides with choosing Manama as the capital of Arab press for 2012 and following the advisory summit in Riyadh which accentuated the need to move into a Gulf union.
He recalled the stances of GPU, Gulf newspapers, press establishments, journalists and media persons in showing support to Bahrain's security and stability during last year's incidents. He praised their highly professional, objective and responsible tackling of Arab and international issues.
He also thanked them for backing Bahrain’s reform process spearheaded by King Hamad. He commended GPU’s role in activating the joint GCC media work strategy for 2010-2020.
“This union epitomizes the key role played by the press in strengthening citizenship and national identity as well as projecting the developmental and cultural accomplishments of the GCC countries, in response to the defamatory campaigns waged by some foreign mass media," Sheikh Fawaz said.
He expressed hope the meeting would come up with new steps to further enhance cooperation and coordination among the GCC press and media establishments, in line with the aspirations of the GCC leaders and people to expedite the Gulf union.
Al-Sudairy thanked Bahrain for hosting the meeting. He presented a memento to Sheikh Fawaz in tribute to his efforts in developing the media and supporting its personnel.
The IAA president presented the Gulf Association for Press and Free Media Award to GPU Secretary-General Nasser Mohammed Othman who expressed delight over the initiative, describing the award as a credit to the founding generation of the Gulf press.