The Media, Tourism and Culture Committee of the Shura Council met this morning (Tuesday) with the Omani Journalists Association, represented by its Women Journalists Affairs Committee, as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with national professional institutions and to review media initiatives aimed at protecting children and safeguarding their rights. During the meeting, the Association presented the Child Media Code of Ethics, which it has adopted and launched as a professional and ethical framework designed to reinforce responsible media practices when addressing issues related to children in the Sultanate of Oman.
At the outset of the meeting, H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Harthi, Chairman of the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee of the Shura Council, welcomed the delegation of the Omani Journalists Association, commending the Association’s efforts in developing and launching the Child Media Code of Ethics. He described the Code as an important step towards strengthening the professional and ethical responsibilities of media institutions and practitioners, thereby contributing to the creation of a safe media environment that respects children's rights, safeguards their dignity, and preserves their identity and values.
His Excellency stressed that the national media constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of building public awareness, shaping future generations, and consolidating the nation's value system. He noted that the rapid developments in communication technologies and digital media have further increased the responsibility of media institutions to provide purposeful and responsible content that reinforces national identity while preserving the privacy and authentic values of Omani society.
He further explained that the Omani media today bears a greater responsibility than ever before in addressing behaviours and social phenomena that are inconsistent with the values of Omani society. This can be achieved by instilling authentic national values and Omani identity among younger generations, promoting a sense of belonging and national pride, and protecting children from all forms of media exploitation and exposure to content that contradicts societal values and principles. He affirmed that fulfilling this responsibility requires close coordination among media, educational, social, and legislative institutions to foster a safe and supportive environment for children's healthy development.
Following the opening remarks, Dr. Amal bint Talib Al Jahouriya, Chairperson of the Women Journalists Affairs Committee of the Omani Journalists Association, delivered a visual presentation covering the various aspects of the Child Media Code of Ethics. She explained that the philosophy underpinning the Code is based on the principle that children represent the foundation of society’s future and that the media is a key partner in their upbringing and 


character development through the provision of responsible media content that respects their dignity, protects their privacy, and promotes the values of citizenship, identity, and belonging.
She also reviewed the principles on which the Code is founded, foremost among them respect for children's rights and human dignity, ensuring the best interests of the child in all forms of media coverage, protecting children's privacy, rejecting all forms of discrimination, violence, abuse, and neglect, empowering children to express their views and participate in issues affecting them, and strengthening the professional and ethical responsibility of journalists and media institutions in covering child-related issues.
The presentation further outlined the Code's principal objectives, including enhancing the media's responsibility in protecting children and safeguarding their rights in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards; embedding the principle of the best interests of the child across all forms of media content; protecting children's dignity and privacy; raising awareness of children's rights, relevant national legislation, and international conventions; producing safe media content that contributes to the intellectual, cultural, and creative development of children; strengthening the media's role in preventing violence, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination; promoting partnerships among the media, families, educational institutions, government entities, and civil society organisations; and improving the professional capabilities of media practitioners through continuous training in child-friendly journalism.
Dr. Al Jahouriya explained that the preparation of the Code was the outcome of a broad national partnership between the Omani Journalists Association and several institutions concerned with children and the media. This collaborative approach ensured alignment with national legislation and international conventions while reinforcing consistency with the Omani Child Law, the Media Law, the Basic Law of the State, and the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, particularly those relating to human capital development, child empowerment, knowledge-based society building, and the promotion of professional and responsible media.
She also reviewed the Association's efforts throughout the drafting process, which included consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders, specialised discussion sessions to formulate the Code's provisions, and awareness programmes following its launch to introduce its objectives and practical application to legislative bodies, media organisations, educational institutions, and civil society organisations. She noted that the Code was officially launched in April 2026 in the presence of representatives from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the International Federation of Journalists – Asia-Pacific, media professionals, and child protection stakeholders. The launch ceremony also witnessed the signing of the Code by several media institutions and journalists, reflecting their commitment to implementing its principles and provisions.
Following the presentation, Members of the Committee raised a number of questions and observations addressing various aspects of the Code. Discussions focused on the stages through 


which the initiative evolved from its initial concept to its adoption and official launch, the framework underpinning its provisions, the Association's efforts to introduce the Code to public and private sector institutions, and mechanisms for promoting its principles among media organisations, educational institutions, and civil society organisations.
Members also discussed the existing cooperation between the Association and government entities responsible for child protection, particularly the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education, and the Oman Human Rights Commission. They reviewed the international experiences referenced during the drafting process, the extent to which the Code complements relevant national legislation, the challenges media institutions may encounter in complying with professional standards governing the coverage of child-related issues, and proposals to strengthen adherence to the Code's provisions in order to foster a responsible media culture that respects children's rights and safeguards their best interests.
The meeting also featured an extensive discussion between Committee Members and representatives of the Association on emerging behavioural patterns among young people in Omani society, the factors contributing to these developments, and ways to address them through coordinated institutional efforts. Participants reviewed a number of local and international experiences in addressing such issues and discussed the role that the media can play in preventing them through the delivery of purposeful awareness content, the promotion of national values, and the dissemination of safe digital practices and responsible use of modern technologies and social media platforms. These efforts contribute to reducing digital risks, protecting children and young people, and strengthening their awareness, sense of belonging, and social responsibility.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Harthi, Chairman of the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee of the Shura Council, and attended by the Committee Members.