Muscat: The new Media Law, issued by Royal Decree 58/2024 on Sunday, has a strong protection net to ensure that all journalists in the Sultanate of Oman can continue serving the nation and society seamlessly.
Article 50 of the law states that anyone who disrupts or interferes with a radio or television broadcast or disrupts the activities of media outlets shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and not more than three years. They will also be subject to a fine of not less than RO 50,000 and not more than RO 100,000, or by one of these two penalties.
The penalty shall be doubled in both its minimum and maximum limits if the crime was committed with the intent to harm national security or disrupt the defence of the homeland.
Article 51 states that whoever engages in an activity subject to the provisions of this law or the regulations without obtaining a license, in violation of the license, or after its expiry, shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and not more than three years, and by a fine of not less than RO 10,000 and not more than RO 20,000, or by one of these two penalties.
The minimum and maximum penalty shall be doubled in the event of repetition, and the court shall, in all cases, order the closure and confiscation of the equipment, devices, and tools used in committing the crime.
Article 52 stipulates imprisonment for not less than three months and not more than one year, and by a fine of not less than RO 5,000 and not more than RO 15,000, or by one of these two penalties if any information violates the controls set by the Ministry of Information (MoI) or is inconsistent with public morals or aims to mislead the public regarding investigations or trials unless publication is based on a final judicial ruling or any news, statement, information, or other matter for which the (MoI) has issued a directive prohibiting publication.
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