Muscat: On Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth held a lecture titled "Media and National Identity," which emphasised the importance of national identity as the foundation of nations and societies.
The event, hosted at the Literary Forum and moderated by Badriya Al Amri, Director of the Ministry's Communication and Media Department, included Dr. Mohammed Awad Al Mashikhi, an academic and specialist in public opinion and mass communication.
Dr. Al Mashikhi stressed that the erosion of national identity might lead to societal division, making communities vulnerable to outside cultural impacts.
He emphasized that, in the age of globalisation and digital technology, national identity confronts severe problems, with digital media speeding the dissemination of Western cultures and ideas, which may erode individuals' pride in their own.
Dr. Al Mashikhi underlined the importance of developing a distinct media strategy to promote national identity through visual content that reflects religious and cultural principles.
He also emphasized the importance of educational and research institutions in promoting cultural and social awareness to protect this heritage from modern threats.
