Saudi press' role lauded by officials RIYADH — Freedom of press offered in the Kingdom is a disciplined one and the Saudi press has been fulfilling its role, noted two top officials of the Information Ministry Saturday. Acting Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Yusuf Bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen said at a ceremony held here for honoring the founders of Gulf Press and other pioneers in the Kingdom that the Saudi press throughout the history of Saudi Arabia has always been playing its role. For his part, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdullah Bin Saleh Al-Jasser pointed out that press institutions are independent and not part of the Ministry of Culture and Information. On freedom of press, Al-Jasser said: “Freedom is guaranteed by Printing and Publishing Regulations, but it is the disciplined freedom, not the one that aims for incitement, stressing that workers in the press should consider this and make sure that information is correct. Replying to a question about his vision for the Saudi press, he said press institutions are independent and owned by shareholders, stressing that the Saudi press has reached now a level that may be the first of its kind in the Arab world in terms of professionalism, use of technology, human cadres working in the press, training programs, and distribution. Al-Jasser added that Saudi press's presence is found in the Arab world and European countries. Al-Othaimeen said: “I came here to convey the greetings, best wishes and pleasure of Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Mohieddin Khoja for honoring 40 press personalities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” He expressed his appreciation for the Federation of Gulf Press for this kind gesture of honoring the Gulf Press, which began in Bahrain and is now in the Kingdom.
