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Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Omani experts urge to anchor social media use in cultural identity
Muscat – Social media has become a powerful force shaping public opinion, cultural awareness and personal identity. Experts in Oman are calling for a collective responsibility to ensure that digital behaviour reflects the country's values and national character. Dr Sabra bint Saif al Harrasi, academic and educational researcher, said that Omani identity is deeply rooted in a legacy of character and tolerance. 'Whenever the Sultanate of Oman is mentioned, morals come before borders, and character before name,' she said. Quoting a saying attributed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), she noted that Omanis have long been known for their noble conduct and refined speech. Dr Sabra warned that as digital platforms shape taste and behaviour, preserving cultural identity online has become essential. 'This is not only an educational need but a pillar of cultural security. The content we produce should reflect our heritage and values,' she said. She stressed that the role of the family remains central. 'There is no digital upbringing without an active family presence. Children learn more from what is practiced at home than what is preached.' She emphasised the need for conversations over commands, and role models who live the values they promote. On content creation, Dr Sabra said children should be encouraged to be producers, not just passive consumers. 'When they create, they become more cautious about what they receive.' She called for digital libraries at home and meaningful content archives to shape their preferences. Dr Amal bint Talib al Jahouri, a researcher in media and cultural affairs, said social media's impact on identity is double-edged. 'It can be a tool to spread pride in national culture or a challenge due to the overlap of global influences,' she said. She noted that traditional and modern media, guided by Oman Vision 2040, have a responsibility to deliver content that strengthens national identity and educates youth on cultural values. 'Media must counter misinformation by providing reliable information and reinforcing cultural identity in interactive ways.' She recommended creating spaces for dialogue between generations and empowering youth to lead digital content creation that reflects Omani values. Qut al Qulub bint Azzan al Hussaini, a social media activist, believes digital influence carries a responsibility. 'Anyone active on these platforms should be an ambassador of our identity. Influence is not a privilege – it's a moral obligation,' she said. She called for a professional environment to support content creators and emphasised that quality should never be compromised for views. 'We must simplify ideas without diluting their meaning, and connect the younger generation to local and global issues through values-driven content.' As Oman continues to navigate the digital age, the consensus among experts is clear: Preserving identity online is a shared duty, starting at home and extending through schools, media, and digital platforms.
Observer
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Community awareness key to spread of rumours: Experts
Muscat - Several specialists in the information and education sectors have emphasized the importance of community awareness and its crucial and prominent role in refuting and combating the spread of rumors. They pointed out that community awareness must include all segments of society, including families, schools, institutions, and the media, to create a society capable of distinguishing between accurate news, rumors, and misinformation. Dr. Khalsa bint Hamad al Bahriya, an educational researcher at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the importance of encouraging students to participate in research projects and discussions about rumors, which enhances their ability to conduct critical analysis. One of the most important practices is creating an environment where students feel comfortable discussing rumors and providing psychological support when needed. She noted that rumors circulating in schools vary from academic rumors related to misinformation about tests or results, which can impact student performance; health rumors related to the spread of diseases or misleading information about vaccines, which can influence family decisions; and rumors about teachers and their performance, related to inaccurate information about teachers' behavior or attitudes, which can impact students' relationships with them. Dr. Sabra bint Saif al Harrasi said that combating rumors requires integration between the family, educational institutions, government agencies, and the media. Enhancing digital awareness, developing technical tools, and implementing national strategies will ensure the building of a society capable of handling information intelligently and analytically, thus protecting it against media misinformation and enabling individuals to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing digital world. Professor Hosni Nasr, Professor of Journalism and Electronic Publishing at Sultan Qaboos University, said that media plays a dual role in spreading rumors and refuting and dispelling them. However, the media can play a pivotal role in raising public awareness about rumors by promoting media awareness, offering educational programs and campaigns that explain how the public can distinguish rumors from accurate information, and using fact-checking tools and disseminating their results to the public. He said that the media also contributes to promoting transparency by disclosing the sources of information and how it was obtained, attributing each piece of information to its source, in addition to enlisting specialists and experts in various fields to analyze information and clarify its validity, and providing advice to the public on how to analyze information and search for reliable sources. In this regard, there are pioneering Arab initiatives in this field to refute and dispel rumors on social media.
