Shura Council approves draft media law, forwards bill to State Council

Muscat: The Shura Council on Sunday approved the draft media law and referred the bill to the State Council to round up the legislative session.

The articles of the draft law saw extensive discussions, with the Committee on Media, Tourism and Culture submitting proposals for amendment.

Abdullah Hamad Al Harthy, Chairman and Rapporteur of the Media Committee, read out the panel’s report, including the articles proposed to be amended and the justifications quoted for such amendments.

The discussions took place within the 7th regular session of the council’s first annual convening during the 10th Term (2023-2027), held under the auspices of Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council.

Dr. Ahmed Ali Al Saadi, Chairman and Rapporteur of the Legal Committee, presented the panel’s views on the draft media law and the amendments proposed by the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee.

The draft media law was based on rapid developments that have been taking place in the media domain since the issuance of the laws governing media activities, making it necessary to merge the statutes into one uniform law.

The new bill, once endorsed, will result in the abolition of the laws governing media activities, which are the “Printing and Publishing Law”, the “Law on Private Radio and Television Establishments”, and the “Law on Censorship of Artistic Works”.

It should be noted that the Shura Council will hold its 8th regular session on Monday 22 April 2024, to discuss the statement of the Minister of Information, Dr. Abdullah Nasser Al Harrasi.