English abstract
This study aims to identify, analyse and explain the attitudes
of Omani journalists working in the daily newspapers both
published in Arabic and English languages towards the Publication
Crimes and their impact on Freedom of Press in the Sultanate of
Oman. The study investigates professional practices among these
Omani journalists to get a closer sense of their level of awareness of
local regulations governing the press. In addition, the study aims at
investigating the two concepts of freedom and social responsibility
among Omani journalists while practicing their profession. The
third aim concerns exploring and analysing Omani journalists'
attitudes toward the impact of publication related cases on the
freedom of the press in the Sultanate of Oman.
The results of the study have been analysed based on social
responsibility theory. A questionnaire was used for data collection.
The questionnaire was distributed among 75 Omani journalists
currently working in the Omani daily local newspapers; Oman,
Oman Observer, Al Watan, Al Shabiba, Times of Oman, and Al
Roya.
Among the findings of this study were: 66.7% of the
participants stated that they face difficulties in having access to
information while 56.7% of the journalists emphasised that
government entities usually avoid supplying them with information.
The study also found out that 83.3% of the sample have in fact
familiarised themselves with the local press regulations.
The study also found out that 60% of the journalists surveyed
indicated that the newspaper where they work hasn't provided them
with training programs related to rules and regulations of the press.
On the other hand, 85% of the participants stressed that they are
aware of the 1984 Omani Press and Publications Law. While (70%)
of the study sample answered that they have knowledge of
ح
publishing prohibitions according to the Omani Penal Code
2018,Also about 78% of these journalists have responded that that
are able to distinguish between cases concerning general interest
and those related to individual interests.
With regards to the concept of social responsibility, the study
has revealed that the overwhelming majority of the participants
(96.7%) have emphasised the commitment of a journalist toward
protecting his/ her sources of information. 88.4% of the journalists
respondents agreed that social responsibility means presenting the
truth to the public even if this goes against the interests of some
individuals. Additionally, 90% of the journalists emphasised that
social responsibility means commitment to both accuracy and
objectivity.
As far as the attitudes of Omani journalists toward the impact
of cases and their effect on freedom of the press, 85% stressed that
these cases have led to an increased self-censorship.
About 77% of the participants confirmed that the practice of
pre-publication censorship by their newspaper has negatively
affected their job. Some of these journalists, about 33% explained
that they have considered changing careers due to the numerous
rules that govern the press. Also, about 55% of the journalists
emphasised that the court rulings to convict and imprison a number
of local journalists were the result of these journalists not abiding
by professional and ethical standards of the press. The majority of
the journalists surveyed have shown negative attitudes toward the
role of the Omani Journalists Association in supporting and
defending the freedom of the press in the Sultanate of Oman
