By IANS,
Dubai : Kuwait is planning to develop a media city as part of its five-year 50-billion Kuwaiti dinars ($186.6 billion) overall development plan.
Kuwait’s Minister for Information Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah said that the media city would be where all cultural and media and information venues would be located, and interact to better represent and serve the state’s advancement and accomplishments, the official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
The minister added 95 percent of the land on which the city is to be developed is state property.
Stating that Kuwait was a country of free media, he urged those in the field to show appreciation for the fact by adhering to laws and regulations, and most particularly when it stands to affect national interests and unity.
The minister said his ministry has received a good allocation in the state’s new five-year development plan.
He said there was also a plan to launch a Kuwaiti satellite at the cost of KD60 million ($224.2 million).
“This would involve use of leading publications’ material and staff, like those of Al-Arabi Magazine, and Kuwait Television and Radio archives. The channel would stress Kuwaiti identity and present its folklore and traditions while catering to today’s needs,” Sheikh Sabah said.
He also revealed plans to boost the information ministry’s performance, which included a review and assessment by four international consultancy agencies, amid plans to set up a higher media council to be tasked with drafting a code of ethics for the media.