Ministry of Information isn''t censorship authority

The Ministry of Information is a coordination department and not an authority tasked with imposing censorship and restrictions on freedoms of the press and media, said Minister of Information Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah. Sheikh Hamad Jaber, during a reception of well-wishers on his recent appointment to the senior post, affirmed his strong keenness on sincere cooperation with various media establishments for sake of enhancing level of the national media language, and expressed hope to succeed in the service, up to aspiration of the top leaders. The minister vowed to cooperate with the ministry officials to alter the misconception that the ministry is an authority that enforces censorship, noting that he would seek to affirm freedom of speech, reflect the true image of the ministry as an organizational department, "a forum and minaret of the media and an institution that seeks through laws and regulations to increase and maintain the freedoms, as stipulated by the Kuwaiti Constitution." The Ministry of Information will not seek to restrict the freedom of speech or broadcast misinformation, he pledged, assuring the present figures that the national media sector would remain "open for the true word and constructive criticism." Freedoms and democracy in Kuwait will remain safeguarded under the sagacious leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the minister stressed anew. On the basis of the democratic principles, adopted by the natives, the people of Kuwait have the right to express their views freely and in a constructive manner, and that should be without any bids to sow seeds of sedition and defame persons, but with keenness on maintaining the national social fabric and national unity, Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali added further, affirming his keenness on maintaining such freedoms. He thanked the staff and re-asserted that the national media must always seek accuracy.