Mass media for development – the media in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the mass media in the Sultanate of Oman, describing their history, developments, and the legal frameworks regulating various mass media activities. The chapter also reviews and analyzes the social and political functions of contemporary mass media in the sultanate. As the chapter shows, Omanis have known journalism as a profession since the beginning of the 20th century, when journalists were present in Zanzibar. Those early newspapers reflected issues and concerns of the Arab groups in that island. This period of Omani press history is called the “Omani Migrant Press” which lasted from 1911 and until 1964. Mass media in contemporary Oman began after 23 July 1970, marking the new political era in Oman led by the Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Legislatively, the first Press and Publications Law appeared in Oman in 1975, shortly after launching the Omani broadcasting service. The current law was enacted in 1984 and is still active today, in addition to the Telecommunication Law (2001) and the Private Radio and Television Establishments Law (2004). Mass media in the Sultanate of Oman is an important ancillary in the political and economic system. The state has used media as a tool in promoting its development projects, enhancing and developing national plans and strategies, attracting foreign investments, marketing local products abroad, and fighting illiteracy.