The Ministry of Information and UNICEF Oman Conclude Workshop on "Strengthening Media’s Role in Raising Awareness on Child Issues

Muscat, 16^th October 2024 —  The Ministry of Information’s Media Training Center, in partnership with UNICEF Oman, successfully concluded the workshop titled “Media Coverage of Child Issues: Ethical Standards and Media Skills.” Held from October 14 to 15, this two-day program brought together journalists and media professionals from both public and private sectors, along with specialists from key ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Center for Statistics and Information, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Development, Oman Vision 2040, the Royal Oman Police, the Ministry of Defense, the Omani Journalism Association and international UN agencies. The initiative aims to strengthen ethical reporting by equipping participants with essential skills and knowledge to cover child-related issues in a sensitive, rights-based manner.

The workshop highlighted essential themes for journalists reporting on children, including ethical principles for child-centered media coverage, recognizing and addressing misinformation, fact-checking, and engaging effectively with the public. In today’s media landscape, journalists play a critical role as gatekeepers of information, shaping public perception on a wide range of issues. Reporting on children requires a particularly careful approach, as it impacts not only public awareness but also the safety and well-being of young people. Recognizing this, UNICEF has developed specialized guidelines that were central to the workshop, supporting journalists in producing accurate and respectful narratives that protect children’s rights while responsibly informing the public. Practical exercises throughout the workshop reinforced these principles, equipping participants with the skills needed for sensitive, rights-based reporting on children’s issues.

“This training enhances the role of media practitioners in Oman as essential gatekeepers, ensuring that children’s voices are thoughtfully represented with a commitment to sensitive, rights-based reporting,” said Asia Al-Balushi, General Manager of the Ministry of Information’s Media Training Center.

”UNICEF Oman’s Communication Officer, Khadija Al-Kindi, emphasized the significance of the workshop: “In collaboration with the Ministry of Information, UNICEF Oman launched this program to advance child rights awareness and promote media practices that protect and empower children. Building on best practices, this initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040’s priorities for education and childhood, which emphasize a modernized approach to child development rooted in Oman’s values and identity. Through these efforts, we aim to support journalists in highlighting children’s issues and creating an informed, cohesive society that prioritizes the rights and well-being of children, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.”

The training contributes to UNICEF’s ongoing efforts to build capacities across sectors, supporting media professionals in upholding children’s rights and ensuring that children’s voices are heard responsibly in the evolving media landscape.