Public Authority for Radio and Television (PART)
The Public Authority for Radio and Television (PART) serves as the central government body overseeing Oman’s state-run broadcasting outlets. Established in 2010, PART manages Oman TV, the national television network launched in 1974, and Radio Oman, which traces its origins to 1970, making it one of the oldest state media institutions in the Gulf region.
The creation of Radio Oman—including Radio Sultanate of Oman and Radio Salalah—was initially part of a geopolitical strategy to counter ideological messaging from communist South Yemen. Over the decades, these state media arms have evolved into institutional pillars of Oman’s official communication strategy.
Media assets
Television: Oman TV
Radio: Radio Oman
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
PART operates directly under the supervision of the Cabinet of Ministers, placing it squarely within the machinery of the Omani government. Although it was formally established by Royal Decrees No. 108/2010 and 100/2011, the management of Oman TV and Radio Oman continues to be tightly linked to the Ministry of Information, to which the general directors of both outlets report.
There is no independent board overseeing PART’s strategic direction or editorial governance, and all senior appointments remain government-controlled. This structure leaves little room for autonomous decision-making, embedding the broadcaster within Oman’s broader state apparatus.
Source of funding and budget
PART, and by extension both Oman TV and Radio Oman, are fully financed by the state through annual budget allocations approved by the government. These funds are distributed under the authority of the Royal Decrees that established PART and are considered part of Oman’s broader public sector spending.
As of mid‑2025, no public financial reports or expenditure statements for PART have been made available. The agency does not operate on any form of commercial or advertising revenue and remains wholly dependent on the state budget. Independent fiscal oversight mechanisms are either absent or non-transparent.
Editorial independence
Oman TV and Radio Oman are subject to strict state editorial control. According to local and international media analysts interviewed for this project in May 2024, criticism of the government, royal family, or state policies is strictly prohibited across all PART-run outlets.
Content is carefully curated to reflect official narratives, with limited space for investigative journalism or dissenting perspectives. In effect, the state broadcaster functions as a government megaphone, disseminating approved messaging and cultural programming while avoiding politically sensitive topics, according to experts in media in the Middle East interviewed for this report in June 2025.
As of June 2025, there are still no legal provisions guaranteeing editorial independence for PART or its subsidiaries. Likewise, no independent regulatory body or oversight mechanism has been identified that monitors or evaluates the integrity of their editorial operations.
July 2025