The Shura Council hosted this morning, Monday, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Harasi, Minister of Information, where he delivered a statement from his ministry. Following this, the esteemed members of the council presented their interventions and inquiries regarding the information and indicators contained in the statement, which focused on the necessity of developing the media sector in the Sultanate and enhancing its national role, as well as the importance of addressing the concerns of Omani citizens and instilling awareness in society.

This occurred during the eighth regular sitting of the first annual session (2023-2024) of the tenth term (2023-2027), chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al-Maawali, President of the Council, in the presence of the esteemed members of the council and His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Council.

    Ministry of Information Statement
The sitting commenced with a speech by His Excellency the Council chairman, where he inaugurated the sitting dedicated to discussing the Ministry of Information's statement and welcomed the Minister. Following this, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Harasi, Minister of Information, delivered his ministry's statement, which included 12 main axes concerning various aspects of the media sector in the Sultanate of Oman.

In the statement, His Excellency clarified that the first axis focuses on the media strategy and policy of the Sultanate of Oman, emphasizing that Omani media is based on pillars and principles including the noble Islamic religion and its tolerant values, Oman's heritage of values and virtues, in addition to the lofty vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may God protect him, and his vision for Oman 2040. Omani media also works on enhancing national unity, instilling loyalty to the nation and His Majesty the Sultan, and focusing on reinforcing Omani identity and culture while preserving them. Regarding the Oman Vision 2040, the ministry is working on projects to achieve the targets within the priority of identity, heritage, and national culture. In 2023, the number of media products reached approximately 5000, and in 2024, the ministry aims to produce 5000 products, including spreading awareness and introducing government products, and 300 products related to legislation, laws, and public awareness.

His Excellency added affirmed in the second axis of the statement the actual results of the Ninth Five-Year Development Plan 2016-2020 and the strategic programs of the Tenth Five-Year Development Plan of the Ministry of Information 2021-2025. The plan focuses on several key programs, including communication and media, enhancing specialized media performance, boosting private sector participation in media investment, media and community awareness to protect public funds, and finally establishing advanced media and communication outlets. The past decade has witnessed significant advancements in development and modernization in its production, engineering, operational, and technological aspects. In 2013, Oman Sports was launched as the first sports channel focusing on sports and youth in the Sultanate of Oman, followed by the launch of "Oman Live" in 2014 to facilitate the broadcasting of various local events and activities. In 2016, "Oman Cultural" channel was launched. In terms of technical, technological, and engineering development, the inauguration of the Digital Studio Hat Complex on December 31, 2015, marked a significant leap in radio and television production and broadcasting operations in the Sultanate of Oman.

The statement added that journalistic development has taken a significant place in the Sultanate of Oman, where the number of visitors to the electronic website of Oman newspaper reached approximately 50 million visitors by the end of 2023. In addition, the number of visitors to  Oman Observer, an English-language newspaper, reaches about 100,000 visitors daily, as the newspaper covers political, economic, social, and cultural topics and highlights Omani stances on various regional and international issues. The newspaper enjoys wide circulation in the Gulf, the United States, Europe, Asia, and India.



Furthermore, in the third axis of the statement, His Excellency emphasized the legislations and laws regulating the Omani media sector. The ministry issued decisions 341 and 342/2020 amending some provisions of the Executive Regulations of the Private Radio and Television Establishments Law. The ministry also issued a draft Media Law, which regulates media work and is characterized by inclusivity and modernization that keeps pace with changes and developments in the modern media industry. The government approved it and referred it to the State Council for completion of its legislative process.


In the vibrant realm of Oman's shura sitting, where the nation's progress and aspirations are fervently discussed, a recent gathering at the Consultative Assembly shed light on the pivotal role of media in shaping the country's narrative. Hosting His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Harasi, Minister of Information, the session underscored the imperative of elevating Oman's media sector to bolster its national identity and address citizens' concerns.

Opening the sitting was Khaled bin Hilal Al-Ma'awali, the shura's chairman, who heralded the commencement of discussions centered on the Ministry of Information's statement. Following this, Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Harasi delivered a comprehensive discourse, encapsulating twelve pivotal themes pivotal to Oman's media landscape.

At the core of the minister's address was Oman's media strategy, intricately woven with the nation's Islamic principles, cultural heritage, and the visionary outlook of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Emphasizing national unity, allegiance, and cultural preservation, the strategy aims to fortify Oman's societal fabric while aligning with the nation's vision for 2040.

The minister's statement outlined tangible achievements, notably the strides made during the 9th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and the strategic roadmap of the ongoing 10th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). These encompassed advancements in specialized media, private sector engagement, and robust awareness campaigns safeguarding public finances.

Legislative reforms also took center stage, with amendments to broadcast laws and the proposal of a modernized media law reflecting Oman's commitment to align with global standards and foster industry innovation.

Moreover, the minister underscored the criticality of training and development initiatives, highlighting the Media Training Center's role in graduating 2000 professionals across diverse media disciplines.

The discourse delved into Oman's vibrant media exhibitions, particularly the Muscat International Book Fair, which serves as a beacon of cultural exchange and intellectual enrichment on the global stage.

Recognizing the pivotal role of the private sector, the statement emphasized the burgeoning media landscape, boasting approximately 80 licensed media outlets contributing to Oman's media ecosystem and employment market.

To add, Oman's commitment to enriching its cultural landscape through high-quality drama productions was underscored, with collaborations between public and private entities driving creative innovation.

In the realm of provincial media, the Ministry's efforts to amplify regional voices were highlighted, with over 120 journalists covering news from various provinces, contributing to a diverse media narrative.

In discussions, council members underscored the importance of media freedom and the need for legislation to regulate information dissemination. They also inquired about Oman's ranking in the 2023 Press Freedom Index, seeking clarity on the methodology and efforts to improve the country's position.

Proposals for legislation on information access and media investment laws were raised, emphasizing the necessity of investment in the media sector. The appointment of media spokespersons within state administrative units was also discussed, highlighting the importance of their role during crises and the need for standardized training and activation procedures.

During today's sitting, council members highlighted the longstanding discussion surrounding the establishment of the economic channel and the children's channel. Despite ongoing discourse for over five years, there have been no tangible initiatives reflecting the intent to launch these channels. Members inquired about the ministry's plans regarding the creation of these channels and the reasons for the delay.

Emphasizing the significance of childhood stages, council members stressed the need for meticulous care in selecting or producing children's programs, especially if they are externally produced. They underscored the importance of channels and programs addressing the Omani children's mentality, their role in shaping minds, and building future generations. Questions were raised about the proportion of locally produced children's programs compared to those produced abroad targeting the same audience, along with inquiries about the ministry's potential plans to establish visual or interactive media platforms for children in the future.

Council members highlighted the importance of continuous engagement with local production companies, listening to their proposals and demands, as crucial for advancing Omani media development. They also called for the creation of a global news channel befitting Oman's history, focusing on citizens' lives and interests.

Additionally, inquiries were made regarding the handling of rumors and misinformation by the ministry, as well as the overlooking of many issues by media and government communication, including the incident concerning the Ministry of Education's involvement in the death of students in schools in North Al Sharqiyah.

Moreover, council members lamented the decline in Omani drama in terms of topics and performance quality, questioning the lack of a professional generation akin to the veteran actors from the seventies and eighties. They inquired about professionalism in acting, the ministry's role in developing Omani drama from actors to scripts, and whether there is collaboration between the ministry and universities or specialized institutes to supply the drama scene with professional talents.

Lastly, council members questioned the ministry's vision and strategy for enhancing the Muscat International Book Fair to align with cultural aspirations and bolster Oman's cultural role globally. They also inquired about the ministry's role in fostering partnerships with private sector institutions to develop the Muscat International Book Fair, particularly in attracting various cultural and knowledge-based events.