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 media
platforms. The study surveyed 446 Omani Twitter users, selected randomly from different 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 platform 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 traditional 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.