WAM Kuwait, April 30th, 2012 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti Prime Minister has called for extending all forms of support for "wise and responsible" media.

"Kuwait has been a pioneer in supporting open media through important media meetings," Sheikh Jaber said in a statement on sidelines of the 9th Arab Media Forum.

According to Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA), Sheikh Jaber praised role of the Arab media to boosting awareness and contribute to genuine decision-making.

Arab Media Forum Secretary General Madhi Al-Khamees, in a speech at the opening of the forum, said the Arab media was experiencing critical phase amidst the Arab Spring.

This phase, he added, made the Arab citizen more active and linked to media more than ever.

The new media, said Al-Khamees, was forming political, social and cultural future of the Arab world.

He said media was the mirror of every society "and through which we can read reality and hope for a better media future." Al-Khamees said media was a "sensitive and dangerous" tool which could either result in advancement of retreat of societies.

Arab League Secretary General Nabil Al-Araby said the Arab Media Forum has succeeded over the past years to be a tool of communication between journalists.

Al-Araby, in a speech delivered on his behalf by his assistant for media Mohammad Al-Khamlishi, said the Arab League was keen on developing the Arab media action.

Meanwhile, Tunisian minister of human rights and government spokesman Sameer Dilou said the Arab media perspective was still unclear.

He thanked the Forum for supporting the Tunisian revolution.

Governor of Makkah and founder of the Arab intellect foundation Prince Khaled Al-Faisal called for benefiting from modern communication means.

Prince Sultan bin Khaled Al-Faisal, delivering a speech on behalf of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, hoped the Arab Media Forum achieves its objectives.

Kuwait Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah underlined importance of media but they should be used in the appropriate context.

The Forum organizers honored Arab journalists who won the Arab award for media creativity: Sameer Atallah from Lebanon, Kuwait's ex-information minister Mohammad Al-Sanousi, Princess Reem Al-Ali of Jordan, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Tunisian human rights minister Sameer Delou and Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.

WAM/ES/AM