CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND: The Department of Media Studies, Bayan College presented a groundbreaking research paper titled "Framing of Gaza War in Omani Newspaper: A Constructive Journalism Approach" at the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) conference in Christchurch, New Zealand. The research, authored by Dr Muhammad Usman Saeed, Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib Nawaz and Muneera al Balushi from Bayan College, analysed how Omani newspapers framed the Gaza War, emphasising constructive journalism principles.
The research investigated how the Sultanate of Oman, a neutral and peaceful actor in the Middle East framed the ongoing Gaza War in its media, with the lens of constructive journalism.
Constructive journalism is an emerging approach that emphasises solutions, positive developments, and human agency, rather than focusing on problems, violence, and blame in the field of journalism. The study explores how Oman’s media framing of the Gaza War reflects its foreign policy, diplomatic efforts, and cultural and religious values. The study adopted a case study design and used three sources of data: official statements by the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) related to the Gaza War after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas; opinion articles and news stories from two Omani newspapers, including the Oman Observer, on the conflict.
The study highlighted the significant role and impact of Omani government sources and Omani media towards the regional peace process in the context of the Gaza War. The research presented Omani Media and journalistic practices as an exemplary model for other states and their media practitioners in applying a constructive journalism approach while covering conflict-related stories for shaping the narratives of peace. The research revealed that Omani media focused on humanitarian and diplomatic perspectives, promoting peace and understanding.
The researchers argue that this constructive framing of the Gaza war by the Omani press has broader implications for regional peace. During the current conflict and political tensions of the region, such positive and solution-focused reporting can play a pivotal role in peacebuilding. By highlighting peaceful initiatives and collaborative efforts, the Omani press sets a precedent for other media in the region to follow. This approach can potentially influence regional narratives and encourage other nations to adopt similar peace-oriented frameworks in their media coverage.
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