MUSCAT: The Media Law promulgated by Royal Decree No 58/2024 is based on a number of main foundations, namely: the Basic Law of the State, Oman Vision 2040 and the five-year development plans in addition to an objective evaluation of former legislations that governed the media activities in the Sultanate of Oman.
The law involves a set of provisions, most notably the regulation of all media activities within the state whether wholly or partially, permanently or temporarily, including media activities provided by the units of the state’s administrative apparatus and other public legal entities. The law involves a definition of the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the media professionals in accordance with the Basic Law of the State. It specifies the restrictions on media activities exclusively without prejudice to the Basic Law of the State.
The law includes the definition of controls for practicing media activities in a clear and specific manner and states the rights and obligations of the media professionals subject to the provisions of the law. It guarantees the right to respond and correct in the event of publishing or broadcasting incorrect information by any media outlet and the regulation of publications and artistic works subject to the provisions of the law.
The Royal Decree cancels the Publications and Publishing Law, the Law on the Censorship of Artistic Works, and the Law on Private Radio and Television Establishments.
The law, which received wide participation from all parties, includes criminal penalties most importantly limiting the prison sentence and making it optional allowing the judicial authorities to impose a fine instead, criminalizing the assault on media professionals while on duty, criminalizing the disruption or interference on media activities and determining the criminal liability of legal persons involved in media activities.
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