Ministry of Information | Sultanate of Oman - EN

Royal Speeches on Media

At a time when the importance of the role of Information is being increasingly felt by society and peoples, it is necessary to support our Information Services in order that they may perform their mission.

From the speech of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said -may his soul rest in peace- 18/11/1970

The Directorate-General of Information and Tourism has provided services within its capabilities, and we can say that the Omani Radio Stations in Muscat and Salalah were able, despite their small transmission circuit, to carry out their duties within their capabilities.

From the speech of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said -may his soul rest in peace- on the occasion of the 2nd National Day 18/11/1972

Information is the mirror of reality. Its duty is to reflect the various fields of activities which our country is witnessing in its modern age. In the information sector, Oman has launched many successful projects and has made long strides in developing its information organs. On the hilly site of Qurum, the Information City stands as a landmark in the achievements fulfilled. It houses the newly expanded broadcasting station from which the voice of Oman carries over long distances, and the colour television which was inaugurated as a prominent achievement reflecting our keen interest in the truthful word, free opinion and true information.

From the speech of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said -may his soul rest in peace- on the occasion of the 4th National Day 18/11/1974

We also commend the other organs of the State for their positive contribution to the constructive march. We wish to express our satisfaction to the Oman Information Services for reflecting our country's policies towards all issues, regional and international. We note in particular the integrity with which they project events truthfully and objectively, without exaggeration or distortion.

From the speech of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said -may his soul rest in peace- on the occasion of the 20th National Day 18/11/1990

The Journey of the Ministry of Information

The journey of the Ministry of Information began with the first steps of the Blessed Renaissance, in appreciation of the role of media in the march of construction and development. The first Ministry of Information was established in 1970, and since then the Ministry has worked on building and developing the media system in the Sultanate of Oman.

7Dec1970

December 1970: The Ministry of Information was first established under the name of the Ministry of Information, Social Affairs and Labour. The late author and poet Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Taei took over its responsibilities at that time.

5May1972

1972: The information functions and responsibilities were detached from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour and entrusted to the Directorate of Information, and later to the Directorate of Information and Tourism.

17Nov1973

17 November 1973: The Ministry of Information and Tourism was established, and His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said was appointed as its Minister.

8Dec1974

8 December 1974: The Ministry of Information and Tourism was renamed the Ministry of Information and Culture.

22May1979

22 May 1979: His Excellency Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed al-Rowas was appointed as the Minister of Information and Youth Affairs.

23May1982

23 May 1982: The name of the Ministry of Information and Youth Affairs was amended to the Ministry of Information, as youth affairs were transferred to the Ministry of Education and Youth Affairs.

10Jun2001

10 June 2001: His Excellency Hamad bin Mohammed al-Rashidi was appointed as Minister of Information.

29Feb2012

29 February 2012: His Excellency Dr. Abdulmunim bin Mansour bin Said al-Hasani was appointed as Minister of Information.

18Aug2020

18 August 2020: His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harrasi was appointed as Minister of Information.

Our Mission

To develop the Omani media so as to enhance the status of the Sultanate of Oman internally and externally, through regulating the media work, improving the performance of media professionals and showing commitment to providing highly effective and efficient media services.

Our Vision

Competitive performance of the Omani media and smart media services.

Strategic Objectives

Building a flexible administrative and financial system in media organizations that is efficient and effective, and meets the requirements of the mandates and plans of these institutions.
Developing the media message in line with the needs and priorities of the public, taking into account its diversity, quality, attractiveness and its promotion of the development process.
Developing media legislation and professional charters regulating media work in the Sultanate of Oman, in order to achieve free and responsible media performance.
Developing a national vision on the process of investing in the diverse fields of media.
Developing the performance of external media, improving its outputs and diversifying its means in line with the developments in the field of communication.
Drawing up an integrated concept for the advancement of media training and continuing education in an orderly and sustainable manner to enhance professionalism and credibility.
Developing media research to advance the field of studies and public opinion polls, in order to provide an appropriate communication environment between policy makers, the media and the public.
Developing the performance of electronic media and preparing an integrated plan for the development of the media services portal.

Ministry Functions

Proposing the public information policy in accordance with the general policy of the State, presenting it to the Council of Ministers for consideration and recommendation to the supreme authority for approval, and developing the media plans and programs to implement and follow them up.
Proposing draft laws and issuing regulations related to the Ministry's fields of work and working on their proper implementation.
Issuing publications and preparing studies and research related to the media fields, in a way that serves the objectives of the public information policy and media plans.
Providing citizens with adequate information about internal and external developments and events, and the development that the Sultanate of Oman is witnessing, through the media within a framework of honesty and objectivity.
Enlightening international public opinion about the fundamentals of the Sultanate of Oman's policies, the principles on which they are based, the milestones of its progress and development, and its positions towards local, regional and global issues and events.
Promoting awareness and knowledge and employing the media message to achieve awareness and cultural openness through the media, while ensuring freedom of opinion and expression in accordance with the law.
Working on the continuity of the Omani presence in the media.
Taking care of the national press and providing the necessary facilities for the performance of its functions.