KUWAIT, April 27 (KUNA) -- National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim stated Monday that holding symposia and discussion meetings before the passage of laws is a new approach embraced by the parliament to make use of the views of experts and different segments of the society.
"Lawmakers and ministers can not develop the society without effective social participation in all domains," Al-Ghanim said in a speech at the launching of a series of symposia to debate the draft law of electronic media and the proposed amendments to the visual and audio media, press and publications law.
He said that the goal of the symposia, organized by the parliament's the Education, Culture and Guidance Committee, is to allow all segments of the society and relevant experts to contribute to law-making process.
Media laws pose a challenge to MPs who seek to strike a balance between freedom of expression and media work regulation, Al-Ghanim stressed.
He pointed out that the parliament had organized similar discussion meetings which the tackled the municipality and the constitutional court laws.
Al-Ghanim argued that the lawmakers need to listen to the views of the experts and those concerned to avoid errors or loopholes in passed law.
For his part, the Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah underlined that the government is keen on regulating media work and reviewing its current law.
He noted that the proposed amendments to the visual and audio media law deals with professional electronic media only.
He unveiled that the amendments did not address social networking sites and personal websites.
Sheikh Salman reiterated the government's commitment to enhance freedoms enshrined by the constitution.
He added that all views of experts and those concerned would be taken into consideration.
Meanwhile, MP Dr. Awda Al Rowaey, chairman of the parliament's the Education, Culture and Guidance Committee, said the symposia will last for three days with the main objective of helping MPs pass an integrated media law. (end) sss.nfa.ibi