Kuwait is committed to promoting and ensuring press freedom in the country while preserving the rights of journalists, the Information Ministry said on Monday.

In a joint press statement with the United Nations on World Press Freedom Day, Deputy Minister Munira Al-Huwaidi said the ministry recently granted broadcast licenses to more than 400 online newspapers.

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These e-publications will operate alongside dozens of already-existing counterparts, physical newspapers, and magazines. Several privately-run TV and radio stations also exist in the country, which the official considered an “essential tributary” to Kuwaiti media.

Yesterday, the ministry signed an agreement with the Kuwait Journalists Association to aid the development of Kuwaiti journalists, she also mentioned. The role of the press in the country is “enriching,” she said, indicating its significance in providing nationals and expatriates with accurate information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

For her part, Hideko Hadzialic, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim, praised the ministry’s efforts to combat fake news, rumors and misinformation related to COVID-19 and its promotion of ethical and informed journalism.