Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has advanced seven positions in the 2026 Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders, ranking 127th globally compared to 134th in 2025.
Among Arab countries, Oman placed fourth, following Mauritania, Qatar and Lebanon, reflecting continued progress in strengthening the national media landscape.
The improvement comes amid sustained efforts to enhance the regulatory and legislative environment governing the media sector. The Basic Law of the State guarantees freedom of opinion and expression as a fundamental right, exercised within the framework of the law and with due respect for public order and societal values. This principle underpins a balanced media environment that enables the exchange of ideas while supporting the press in fulfilling its professional responsibilities.
In recent years, Oman has taken concrete steps to regulate and develop journalistic work, notably through the issuance of the Media Law and its executive regulations. These measures aim to modernise the legislative framework in line with rapid developments in the media sector, promote responsible freedom of expression, and enhance transparency, while providing greater clarity for media institutions and journalists.
The Press Freedom Index is one of the leading global benchmarks assessing media freedom across 180 countries and territories. It is based on a range of indicators, including media pluralism, independence, the legal framework, and the safety of journalists, in addition to political, economic and social factors influencing the media environment.
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