Muscat: Majlis Ash’shura approved the draft Media Law and referred it to the State Council to complete, on Sunday.
The meeting saw intensive discussions on each of the articles of the draft law as well as the amendments proposed by the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee. Abdullah bin Hamad al Harthi, Chairman and Rapporteur of the Committee, reviewed the committee’s report, the articles proposed for amendments and the reasons that necessitated the amendments.
This came during the 7th regular meeting of the first annual session of the tenth term (2023-2027) of the Council, held under the chairmanship of Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis Ash’shura.
Dr Ahmed bin Ali al Saadi, Chairman and Rapporteur of the Legislative and Legal Committee, reviewed the committee’s views on the draft law and the amendments proposed by the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee.
The draft media law was based on the changes that occurred in the media profession and the rapid developments resulting from multiple means of media given the long period since the issuance of the laws governing the media field which requires unifying them into a single law.
The new media law will result in the abolition of the existing laws governing the media field namely: the Printing and Publishing, the Law of the Private Facilities for Radio and Television, and the Censorship of Artistic Works Law.
The draft law encompasses eight chapters divided into (61) articles while the related executive regulations specify the procedural details. The first chapter of the law includes general definitions and provisions while the second chapter deals with procedures for obtaining a permit to practice media profession. The third chapter includes controls for practicing media activities. The fourth chapter deals with the rights and obligations of the mediaperson. The fifth chapter presents articles on the right of reply and corrigendum. The sixth chapter includes publications and the regulations of printing. The seventh chapter deals with artistic works whereas the eighth chapter deals with penalties.
The session began with a speech delivered by council’s chairman who said: “Over the past few days there has been a tragedy that shocked the Omani society and its impact has saddened all the people in Oman. Brothers and friends interacted with it and it received direct follow-up from various state agencies. Many lives were lost including a number of school students as a result of the extreme weather the Sultanate of Oman has witnessed recently.”
The chairman added: “The Majlis Ash’shura through the Law of the Council of Oman will spare no effort and will do everything within its powers towards this incident.”
Jamal bin Ahmed al Abri, Chairman of the Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Committee, delivered an urgent statement regarding the death of a number of students as a result of the weather conditions the Sultanate of Oman experienced. He pointed out that the painful incident that occurred in the Niyabat of Samad Al Shaan in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi when school students were swept away in a wadi, is an appalling tragedy.
The report of the Economic and Financial Committee regarding the draft agreement on eliminating double taxation and preventing tax evasion and avoidance between the government of the Sultanate of Oman and the government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, was also reviewed. The committee approved the agreement without making any amendments to it.
The council approved a request for discussion presented to the minister of labour regarding temporary employment. Another request for discussion to the Minister of Education concerning the outcome of the weather condition and its impact on the schools of North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, was referred to the Legislative and Legal Committee. — ONA
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