Positive Media: A Message of Friendship Among Peoples
I have reviewed the article by the esteemed Professor Iqbal Al-Ahmad, published in the esteemed Al-Qabas newspaper on August 12, 2026, under the title “Are Our Aid Efforts or Our Political Standing More Important?” In the final part of the article, she posed a question: “Let us begin by asking ourselves: Do we base our policies and expectations on what we hope others will do, or on what serves Kuwait’s interests first and foremost?”
To answer this question concisely, I ask for permission to recall a question that surprised me, directed at the Senegalese Minister of Energy, whom I met in the 1980s. The encounter took place at a reception hosted by a colleague, the ambassador of a European country, to mark the presentation of a gift from his country to primary school students in the Senegalese capital, Dakar. The gift consisted of a quantity of plastic shoes manufactured in the ambassador’s country. His Excellency the Ambassador organized a grand event for this occasion, inviting ministers, senior government officials, ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Senegal, heads of foreign news agency offices in Senegal, editors-in-chief of local newspapers, a large number of local journalists, a team of prominent figures from the country, and a large crowd of citizens.
Amid this media-heavy atmosphere, I was surprised by a question from the Senegalese Minister of Energy, which asked: “Why does your country not follow the example of this country in terms of media coverage regarding the aid it provides to fraternal and friendly nations?” My response was as usual: Kuwait relies on a policy of not publicizing the support it provides to brothers and friends, leaving such matters to their appreciation. This approach prevents Kuwait from exploiting the media publicity practices evident in this grand event.
The minister replied: “But, as I believe and many others believe, the policy of secrecy may have drawbacks. Consider two brothers: one has been blessed with abundant sustenance and wealth, while the other is among the needy who require assistance, particularly from his brother, to support his family and children. At this specific time, the wealthy brother provides financial aid to his needy brother secretly, without his family’s knowledge and without his children knowing what the rich brother is giving to their needy uncle. What would be the feelings of these children toward their uncle? Without a doubt, they would believe that their wealthy uncle has fallen short in his duties toward them, leaving them to live in poverty without his support. This would breed resentment and even hatred toward their uncle, and sometimes envy.”
The minister continued: “Currently, Kuwait is working to finance the most important project in this region, namely the Senegal River Project, which extends from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the far upper reaches of Senegal. This river irrigates all the lands of the countries and nations it passes through. The minister added (and the narrator takes responsibility for this statement): Kuwait’s contribution to the construction of this great river corridor is significant—as His Excellency the Minister mentioned—and it is in no way comparable to the gift presented by His Excellency the European Ambassador to the schoolchildren at this event we are currently witnessing. Meanwhile, the great project and the monumental works carried out by Kuwait in this project are unknown to the people of the countries through which the Senegal River flows. They are known only to the media of the countries implementing the project, the names of those countries, and the companies that executed the project. Is this not a mistake? Kuwait should not conceal the aid it provides to peoples, because this support fosters friendly relations, love, and brotherhood between the Kuwaiti people and other peoples. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the State of Kuwait to announce to friendly and fraternal peoples the support it provides them out of brotherhood and friendship. Hence, Kuwait must adopt the principle of informing fraternal and friendly peoples about the support it provides in their countries, to preserve and consolidate love and goodwill between the Kuwaiti people and friendly and fraternal peoples. Thus, media coverage has become a commitment to fostering cohesion among peoples and creating friendships, love, and goodwill among them, and it is a necessity of life in our time.”
Mohammed Salem Al-Balwan
