The 6th conference of the Gulf Press Union started here on Sunday with the Participation of the Union's General Secretariat members and chief editors of Gulf newspapers. 
Bahraini Information Minister Ali bin Mohammed Al Romaihi addressed the opening session, stressing the need to upgrade the GCC media work by working out practical and contemporary mechanisms for cooperation and setting up a GCC observatory to monitor any professional irregularities and respond to them effectively. 
Al Romaihi stressed the importance to lay bridges of communication with regional and international press and media federations and organisations by setting up effective committees in the political, human rights and international relations fields. He also pointed out the importance to act in a parallel way with the official media channels to highlight the development and civilizational achievements in the GCC countries, reveal the truth and confront contradictory media campaigns targeting the GCC member states. 
He affirmed the need to boost the role of the GCC press and media institutions in performing their duties responsibly, transparently and objectively. He pointed out internal challenges as well as regional and international threats facing the GCC countries as well as the Arab and Islamic nation to shake their security and stability, drive wedges and interfere in their domestic affairs. He also called on the Gulf Press Union and the media institutions to assume their professional, moral and national responsibilities in fostering patriotism, protecting the GCC communities and preserving their unity, security as well as national and religious identity. 
Al Romaihi urged to promote religious and cultural tolerance, fight extremism and terrorism, shun discourse inciting sedition, hatred, sectarianism, racism and offending human dignity and reputation.

Source: QNA