|
Minister of Information : Abdullah
Saud Al-Muhailbi
Website : www.moinfo.gov.kw
Kuwait’s official media, supervised by the Ministry
of Information, follows an open and flexible policy, both
domestically and abroad. It is based on mutual cooperation
and respect for and non-interference in the affairs of other
countries. The policy is planned collectively with emphasis
on intellectual, social, political and economic development.
|
 |
The Ministry spares no efforts in developing its institutions,
whether oral (radio), visual (television), or written (publications
and newspapers), as well as the Information Centres abroad.
Radio
Radio in
Kuwait has come a long way since its first transmission on May
12, 1951. Use of sophisticated and state-of-the-art equipment
at the Al-Maqwa, Kabid and Al-Jeewan stations has contributed
to its growth, which both in terms of quality and quantity of
transmission has been phenomenal.
Television
Television
transmission in Kuwait began in 1957 through a very small transmitter.
With the Ministry of Information assuming charge in 1961, the
process of development got accelerated.
Presently, apart from the four state-owned channels, Cable and
Satellite transmission is available throughout the country. The
Failaka station that had suffered major damages during the Iraqi
aggression has been restored and has resumed telecast.
Publications
The press in
Kuwait enjoys a high degree of freedom and is supported extensively
by the Ministry of Information. Kuwait takes pride in its free
and vibrant press, which it regards as a democratic form of freedom
of expression.
The Ministry of Information brings out a number of specialised
publications - books, periodicals and other informative items.
Some of these are Facts & Figures, the Annual Yearbook, the
Official Gazette, Kuwait Today, the Al-Arabi etc. The Ministry
also publishes a variety of print collateral -- posters, folders,
stickers, calendars, brochures, cards and postcards - on special
occasions.
International Media Centres.
Kuwaiti International Media Centres abroad promote Kuwait's media
objectives in the host countries. Their aim is to provide media
institutions and decision-making authorities with information
- as print material, video and audio tapes -- about different
aspects of life in modern Kuwait.
Since 1990, information centres and offices have been established
in Washington, London, Paris, New Delhi, Beirut, Tunisia, Algeria,
Amman & Morocco.
The objectives of Kuwait Information Centres and offices operating
abroad are:
| - |
To project Kuwait’s presence
at official or popular levels; and to obtain a permanent space
in all mass media in the host countries to promote a complete
image of Kuwait. |
| - |
To showcase Kuwaiti achievements
in all spheres -- political, economic, social and cultural
--- and in all aspects -- domestic, Gulf, Arab, Islamic and
world. |
| - |
To inform public opinion in the
host, and to correct misinformation about Kuwait transmitted
by mass media in these countries. |
| - |
To seek permanent communication
with all public sectors in those countries as a means of achieving
closeness and harmony between Kuwaitis and the people of those
countries. |
| - |
To participate in relations of
humanitarian and social nature in the countries where such
centres are located, at the regional and international levels. |
| - |
To set up cultural and information-related
relations with country-based information centres and offices
for: |
| (a) |
exchange of news, as well as cultural,
religious and entertainment programmes. |
| (b) |
study of necessary and basic procedures
for concluding agreements related to information, research,
training organisations and exchange of technicians, journalists
and specialists in all mass media. |
| (c) |
provision of necessary documents,
collections, writings and publications, to such countries,
for information about Kuwait's culture and civilisation. |
| (d) |
establishment of close cooperation
with news agencies and increasing the exchange of newspapers,
magazines and publications. |
| (e) |
participation in all forms of joint
production in the fields of radio, television and cinema. |
| (f) |
holding cultural and technical
exhibitions and convening scientific, cultural and religious
seminars about Kuwait. |
International Media Centres and offices, in coordination with
International Media Departments in the Ministry of Information,
explain and showcase Kuwaiti policy, history, culture and art,
and its active role on the Arab, Islamic and international arena.
This is done through participation in information fairs, seminars
and lectures. The Media Centres also coordinate with each other
in sending invitations on national and special occasions to the
press and to luminaries in other fields. They also coordinate
with each other when initiating contracts with specialised information
institutions to implement specific programmes.
|
