LOC16:52
13:52 GMT
KUWAIT, April 20 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Ministry of Information said that a new
draft media law it has completed respects the "distinguished" media freedoms
shared in the country, which are depicted in the constitution.
The legislation "supports these rights in its first articles, discarding
for the first time in Kuwait's history the prison sentence, except for matters
related to slandering the name of God," Acting Assistant Undersecretary for
Media and Publications Lulwa Al-Salem told KUNA on Saturday.
The draft law also does not refer to any prior scrutiny over audiovisual,
written and electronic media, she added.
"The Ministry of Information trusts Kuwaiti media organisations, in their
various forms, and is proud of their accomplishments and unique qualities.
"It (the ministry) also respects what has been put forward of viewpoints
and positions on the new draft media law, and urges media organizations,
wholeheartedly, to present any other suggestions they would have, to support
the ministry in its consultations (over the draft law) with the National
Assembly's Educational Committee," added the statement.
In conclusion, the official praised the Kuwaiti parliament's commitment to
supporting "responsible freedoms", pledging her ministry's keenness to "fully
cooperate" with the National Assembly over amendments to the law in its draft
form. (end)
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