Muscat: On Wednesday, the Ministry of Information organized a workshop called "Omani journalism: The reality and opportunities of sustainability."
During the workshop, various options for the development of Omani press establishments were discussed, with a focus on ensuring their sustainability through an innovation program supported by the Ministry of Information. This program has a specific timeframe for follow-up and assessment procedures.
The workshop was attended by Mohammed Said Al Balushi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, as well as editors-in-chief, managers, and editors from local press establishments. International experts, academics, university students specializing in journalism, representatives from the Oman Journalists Association, and representatives from advertising agencies were also present.
One of the main topics of discussion during the workshop was the UNESCO-affiliated "International Programme for Development Communication (IPDC)." The aim was to seek support from the IPDC in upgrading the Omani media and journalism sector and ensuring its sustainability on a global scale.
The challenges faced by press establishments in the Sultanate of Oman were also addressed during the workshop. Five sessions were held, covering various aspects related to these challenges.
The first session focused on providing an overview of the challenges faced by journalism globally. It included the findings of a UNESCO research on the challenges faced by media institutions worldwide, as well as the IPDC's recommendations for promoting independence and sustainability in the media sector.
The second session, titled "Diagnosing reality and challenges facing private press establishments in the Sultanate of Oman," examined examples of programs implemented by private media establishments in Oman.
The focus of the third session was on the government's role in supporting the sustainability of private press establishments. It examined the proposed functions of government institutions and analyzed international experiences in organizing the journalism sector.
Entitled "The Role of Journalism Institutions in Developing More Sustainable Business Models," the fourth session reviewed practical experiences of journalist organizations adopting global models to achieve transformation and confront change.
The fifth session delved into the possibilities of technological advancements and the ability of journalism establishments to adapt to change and embrace future trends, particularly in light of the evolving applications of artificial intelligence.
In a statement, Al Balushi expressed that this workshop aimed to enhance the status of local journalism in order to effectively address emerging challenges at both domestic and global levels.
He highlighted that the Ministry of Information collaborated with a group of Arab and international researchers, as well as experts and academics in Oman, to develop a vision that serves journalism practice and elevates its standards.
