KUWAIT, May 11, (KUNA): Minister of Information Sami Al-Nesf said Wednesday the Ministry was keen on seeing the freedom of expression being practiced responsibly in order to preserve national unity. The Information Ministry has a clear policy that there should be a freedom of expression but in a responsible manner, Al-Nesf, also Minister of Communications, told reporters after a parliamentary session.
Asked if state-run Kuwait TV offended some MPs in one of its programs, Al-Nesf said in principle “we should not panic about different opinions because that is what democracy is about.” But, he added, Kuwait TV “is an official body and cannot say these things (offending MPs) and this is a government policy.” Al-Nesf said the Information Ministry sought support to media of public and private sectors. “Everybody knows that our national unity has been severely breached recently and we were very worried from what was said and written, and we should all join hands to protect the national unity.”
Kuwait is “one of beacons of freedom of opinion ... and at the same time we believe in being responsible so if I give you freedom of expression that does not mean I give you the freedom to offend others,” emphasized Al-Nesf.
On the privatization of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC), Al-Nesf said the process was ongoing, but there were some issues that needed further study like compensations and future of employees.
The minister said KAC could play a leading role in regional aviation when privatized.