In pursuit of fulfilling, the Royal directives aimed at achieving digital transformation and building bridges of effective communication between the Ministry of Information and the public, the Ministry of Information has endeavored to launch a number of digital communication channels. These channels aim to give opportunities for the public to share their views and suggestions that would help to develop and improve media services, in line with the aspirations of the public, and meet their requirements. The Ministry is keen to diversify the forms of electronic participation to enable various segments of the public to communicate their opinions and suggestions, which enhances decision-making mechanisms.
- To enhance the concept of interaction and participation between the Ministry of Information and the public in decision-making.
- To clarify the tools and methods used in electronic participation processes.
- To define the rules and standards for the means of electronic participation affiliated with the ministry.
- To inform the public about the procedures and steps followed in this participation, as well as the avenues of the achieved benefits.
- Credibility and Transparency: Credibility is a cornerstone of Omani media. In this regard, the Ministry adheres to the principles of credibility and transparency in providing information and data to the public.
- Public Participation as a Fundamental Right: The Ministry recognizes electronic participation as a fundamental right of the public, one that promotes inclusive involvement in decision-making through comprehensive and integrated perspectives.
- Diversity in Digital Formats: The Ministry offers a range of digital formats to facilitate public participation. This approach not only supports effective electronic engagement but also ensures that various segments of the public can take part in the process.
- Electronic Accounts on Social Media Platforms: The Ministry of Information maintains a wide presence across social media platforms, with over six million followers as of 2024. Its official accounts span platforms such as X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok.
- Ministry-Affiliated Websites: Several websites operate under the Ministry’s umbrella, offering a variety of media services. These include the Information Portal, Ayn Platform, Oman News Agency, Oman Newspaper, and the Oman Daily Observer. Each site provides specialized services tailored to meet public needs.
- Email Channels for Media Services: The Ministry operates multiple email accounts dedicated to its various services, including those related to the Oman News Agency, the Media Portal, Oman Newspaper, Ayn Platform, and the General Directorate of Television.
- Telephone and Messaging Applications (e.g., WhatsApp): To enhance accessibility, the Ministry enables the public to communicate directly through telephone lines and messaging apps such as WhatsApp—one of the most convenient and widely used platforms among the population.
1. “Audio Space” on X Platform: “Social Media Followers’ Data… Whose Concern?”
The Audio Space is one of the platform’s standout interactive features, enabling users to engage in live voice conversations within open or designated digital rooms. These spaces allow individuals and organizations to host real-time discussions on a range of topics, with unlimited listeners and a select number of speakers moderated by the host.
The Directorate General of Electronic Media has initiated a series of audio spaces to engage users in discussions on various subjects—most notably, a session on the platform X titled: “Follower Data on Social Media: Who Cares?”
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Information, represented by the Directorate General of Electronic Media, aimed to gather public perspectives on user data privacy on social media platforms. The session explored how users can safeguard their personal information and invited public suggestions on how institutions can better manage and protect user data.
Key Discussion Points:-
- The concept and importance of follower data.
- Methods of data collection and analysis.
- Challenges related to data usage.
- The importance of user awareness.
- The legal framework for data protection in the Sultanate of Oman.
- The role of community awareness.
Key Findings:-
- Enhance individual awareness of the importance of protecting personal data and encourage cautious use of privacy settings on social platforms.
- Leverage technology to combat cybercrime and promote the use of artificial intelligence and digital analytics to detect potential threats before they occur.
- Focus on educating children and youth about internet-related risks.
2. User Experience Testing by Children on “Kids Interface” on “Ayn” Platform
The Ministry of Information, through Kids Interface on Ayn Platform, has taken an active interest in gathering feedback and suggestions from children across various age groups regarding the platform’s content. This initiative also aimed to understand their experience as users, assess the ease of navigation, and identify any technical challenges they might face in order to address them effectively.
To achieve this, the Ministry organized a dedicated workshop for a group of children at its headquarters, followed by a second phase that involved a visit to a public primary school (Cycle One).
Key Findings:-
- Improving the child user experience by resolving certain technical issues and streamlining the platform’s registration process.
- A growing interest in developing digital content for children that promotes national identity, and in creating opportunities for talented children to appear in this content.
1. Ayn Hackathon for Electronic Games
The Ministry of Information, represented by the General Directorate of Electronic Media, launched the "Ayn Hackathon for Electronic Games"—a 48-hour event aimed at generating innovative ideas and prototypes for electronic games that reflect Omani identity and culture. This initiative was part of the Ministry’s participation in the Comex Global Technology Show2024.
The two-day hackathon focused on developing game concepts that embody Omani values, in contrast to the violent themes commonly found in many global games. Participants were encouraged to propose creative, culturally rooted game ideas that offer fresh perspectives and unique gameplay experiences.
In addition to the competition, the event featured a series of awareness sessions, educational lectures, and hands-on training workshops, designed to equip participants with game development skills. These sessions were delivered in collaboration with Omani experts and specialists from Saudi Arabia.
The hackathon provided a platform for participants to turn their ideas into reality, foster teamwork, discover emerging talents, and build an active and interactive gaming community.
- To encourag the development of innovative electronic games with an Omani identity.
- To provid an educational and training environment for learning game development.
- To offer opportunities for creative thinking and idea realization.
- To build a vibrant and collaborative community of gamers and developers.
- To promote the use of games to raise awareness of social and environmental issues.
- To introduce participants to new technologies and tools in game development.
- To encourage teamwork and collaboration in game creation.
- Announcement: The hackathon was announced across the Ministry of Information’s official social media channels.
- Registration: A dedicated registration form was created on the Ministry's website to facilitate participant sign-up.
- Participant Selection: After the registration period closed, participants were carefully sorted and selected.
- Team Formation: Fifty participants were selected and organized into ten teams by the selection committee.
- Virtual Workshop: A virtual workshop was organized for all accepted participants to explain the hackathon process and the 48-hour challenge schedule.
- Development Phase: Teams began working on their projects, engaging fully in the 48-hour challenge.
- Presentations: Teams presented their completed projects before a panel of judges.
- Announcement of Winners: The winning teams were announced.
- First Place: Khalfan's Adventures.
- Second Place: Jabreen Fort.
- Third Place: Escape Maze.
As part of its digital participation initiatives, the Directorate of Electronic Media conducted an opinion poll titled Be Part of “A Lens” on the Ayn platform via X (formerly Twitter). The poll aimed to collect public suggestions for naming the photographers’ page on the Ayn platform.
Poll Link:
https://x.com/AynVod/status/1838232770167832586
This initiative reflects the Ministry of Information’s commitment to nurturing young talent and supporting Omani content creators in enriching the national digital media landscape. The initiative aims to expand the reach of Arabic content, encourage the production of high-quality material, and foster closer collaboration between the Ministry and content creators—enhancing the competitiveness of Omani digital media across various online platforms.
In a future phase, the platform also plans to host a group of prominent content creators from across the Arab world to further elevate its digital presence. Currently, the Ayn platform features more than thirteen (13) Omani content creators.
- Submission: The content creator submits a hosting request through the designated form available on the Ayn Platform.
- Evaluation: A dedicated committee reviews the request, assessing it based on technical criteria and content quality.
- Communication: The committee contacts the content creator and extends an invitation to host their content on the platform.
- Agreement: A content hosting agreement is signed to safeguard the creator’s intellectual property and ensure that all hosted content holds the necessary usage rights for its elements.
- Technical Support: A range of technical facilities and tools are made available to support content production.
- Promotional and Marketing Support: A comprehensive promotional package is offered to boost visibility across various media channels.
- Nominal Financial Grants: A symbolic financial grant is awarded to the content creator for hosting their content on the platform, in accordance with an agreement with the Commercial Department.
- Exclusive Advertising Package: An advertising package is offered to a sponsor if the hosted content is exclusive (i.e., unpublished on any other electronic platform) and has received an excellent evaluation.
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