Oman took a further step towards liberalising the broadcasting industry when the country’s monarch issued a Royal decree on Tuesday to form The Public Authority for Radio and Television.
Only four years ago, Oman took its first step towards liberalisation when the private sector was awarded the licence to run radio stations.
Now there are two companies broadcasting radio programmes from their private frequency modulation (FM) channels in the country.
The first radio station (Oman FM) is still run under the control of Ministry of Information, as is the country’s only television station.
The new order places both the government-controlled radio and television stations under the Public Authority for Radio and Television. So far there has been no announcement regarding who will head the new organisation.
The Public Authority for Radio and Television will work according to the commercial rules of the country, although it will still come under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Information.
The new authority will independently manage its financial and administrative affairs.