الملخص الإنجليزي
This study aims to uncover and analyze Omanis attitudes toward public affairs issues
on Twitter, and it depends on a survey methodology distributed through different social me dia platforms. The study surveyed 446 Omani Twitter users, selected randomly from differ ent governorates in Oman. The main findings of the study showed that the most important
public affairs issues discussed among those who were surveyed were "job seekers", "Omani
layoffs", "financial and administrative corruption", and "Oman Vision 2040", respectively.
The results also revealed that one-third of the surveyed population was proactive in writing
about public affairs issues on Twitter. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that most of the
study population had negative attitudes toward the way the government deals with public
affairs issues on Twitter. More than 50% of the included population in this study agreed on
the lack of a clear plan by governmental institutions in addressing these issues and reflected
that the government's response was, so far, a temporary reaction to the raised issues. The
response in this study also demonstrated that the presence of ministers on the Twitter plat form does not reflect the goal of governmental interaction with the public and does not serve
public issues raised through Twitter. The study identified the key factors influencing the
presentation and discussion of public affairs issues on Twitter, including a low level of
knowledge among some tweeters, fear of legal accountability, and the limited role of tradi tional media in raising public affairs issues. Additionally, the study showed that Twitter was
considered the leading platform for discussing public issues in the Sultanate, and it played a
significant role in transforming public opinion into a virtual world. The study recommended
the establishment of an independent center to monitor public opinion trends in the Sultanate,
as well as enhancement of the traditional media role in raising these issues and discuss them
deeply.
