KUWAIT: Minister of Information Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah stated yesterday that the proposed unified media law does not allow prior censorship on media content. "The bill does not permit prior censorship on media content," Sheikh Salman, also Minister of State for Youth Affairs, told reporters after attending a special session on the issue at the National Assembly's Education, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee.
The Minister unveiled that he has clarified the main features of the bill and briefed the MPs about entailed advantages. "Neither prior permission is required nor censorship is allowed on social media, such as WhatsApp," he said. Sheikh Salman noted that the bill would replace imprisonment with fines in media-related offenses. "We seek, through this bill, to help found effective and influential media and to allow more freedoms," Sheikh Salman said. The Minister added that he has listened and recorded the MPs comments on the bill. "The Ministry welcomes the comments and suggestions that help strengthen national unity, stability; increase media freedom and achieve the higher interests of the State of Kuwait," he concluded. Sheikh Salman said the unified media law was aimed at regulating the information flow in the country but it was still only a proposal that can be amended by parliament. He said the draft law was still under study and eventually it will be the MPs who will take a decision.
Terming the criticism of the draft law as "legitimate and one that can be used during discussions," Al-Humoud said, "I do not have any comment on the proposed law because it is being revised at the National Assembly in order to prepare a report on it." He said the proposals were a result of years of efforts by the information ministry to combine audio-video and print laws, apart from the laws applicable to electronic publication, into one comprehensive law.
He stressed that what was presented was merely a "proposed law" and legislations presented by the government to the National Assembly were called as such since the NA had the option to amend them. Al-Humoud said that everyone had a right to express their opinion but "we hope that no one rushes into passing judgments before reading the details and discussing them." He said, "We are open to any opinion and comments and are proud of our media and journalism, and hope to provide the most suitable atmosphere to boost liberties."
© Kuwait Times 2013
