Majlis panel discusses code of conduct for social media

Majlis Ash’shura and its Information and Culture Committee continue to discuss the need for a professional code of conduct and regulations for social media in the Sultanate.

The discussion holds relevance in the wake of reports from a fake website on ‘visa issues’ related to certain expatriate groups in Oman.

Students of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) submitted a report on the topic while academics stressed on the importance of regulating the spread of rumours, fake news and cooperation with relevant authorities to take action against the offenders as per their competence. The committee has been talking to experts of the Information Technology Authority on the current issues related to social media and the lack of mechanism to monitor its activities.

The academics also proposed the establishment of a Press Council to implement a media code of conduct that monitors the activities of the media. The committee will also host specialists from the Ministry of Information for a discussion on the subject of the study, following up a meeting with members from Omani Journalists Association and online media last week.

It too discussed the need for guidelines to control the abuse of social media, including the spread of rumours. It also discussed the Code of Ethics prepared in cooperation with the Sultan Qaboos University Media Studies Department and OJA, which will help address the requirements of the new media and control the misuse of social media platforms.