KUWAIT CITY, July 6: The Ministry of Information has promised to closely monitor the performance of the media and thwart any attempt to divide the Kuwaiti society through the strict implementation of the Audio-Visual Law and other related regulations, in coordination with other government authorities.
According to Studying Negative Phenomenon Committee Chairman at the Parliament MP Mohammad Hayef, Minister of Information and Oil Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah made this promise during the panel meeting Tuesday when they discussed issues related to patriotism and national unity.
Other government officials present in the meeting included some assistant undersecretaries from the Ministry of Information and the assistant undersecretary for Curriculum Affairs at the Ministry of Education.

Patriotism
Hayef revealed the panel deliberated on various ways to strengthen national unity and inculcate patriotism in the minds and hearts of Kuwaitis. He said the Ministry of Information should activate its role in educating the Kuwaiti society and incorporating patriotism in the schools curricula to help the young generation understand the significance of national unity.
He added the panel also stressed the need for the ministry to take the necessary action against the malpractices of some mass media institutions, which affect national unity and punish anyone proven to have violated the Audio-Visual Law. He warned some of the media outfits in the country have violated national security by instigating conflicts in the Kuwaiti society. He pointed out the Ministry of Interior and Cabinet must stop mass media malpractices, which had tarnished the image of Kuwait in the international community. He affirmed Sheikh Abdullah vowed to closely monitor the activities of television channels to prevent any attempt to undermine national unity.

On the other hand, a reliable parliamentary source disclosed the minister said he will resign in case he fails to impose the law on anyone who intends to divide the society and encourage sectarianism. He added Sheikh Abdullah also called for the amendment of the Audio-Visual Law to impose harsher penalties like cancellation of license and fines to help the Ministry of Information perform its role effectively.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah clarified he attended the meeting as he is keen on strengthening national unity and strictly implementing the law in the interest of Kuwait. “We have always been transparent with the committee, especially on the measures that we have taken to implement or amend the law. We have forwarded the proposed amendments to the Cabinet for further study and in preparation for their submission to the Parliament in the next legislative round,” he asserted.

Society
“During the meeting, everybody agreed that strengthening national unity is not the sole responsibility of the ministry, as everyone is expected to play their part in this regard, in addition to the elimination of negative phenomena in our society. We have been closely monitoring the activities of anyone suspected of instigating internal conflicts in attempt to divide the nation,” the minister stressed.
On the media attacks against certain personalities like the lawmakers and ministers, Sheikh Abdullah affirmed, “We will strictly enforce the law on anybody who tries to undermine national unity and incite sectarianism.” He denied rumors that the panel discussed the formation of a special committee, consisting of members from the Cabinet, to look into the issue. He reiterated the government remains committed to its promise to strictly implement the law, in cooperation with the legislature.
Asked about the website sponsorship draft bill, Sheikh Abdullah apologized for his inability to divulge details concerning the bill as this is still under study.