Oman News Agency (ONA) – State Media Monitor

Founded in 1997, the Oman News Agency (ONA) serves as the official state news agency of the Sultanate of Oman. It produces and disseminates news in both Arabic and English, focusing primarily on domestic developments, government affairs, and diplomatic relations. As the state’s principal news wire, ONA plays a key role in shaping public communication and promoting Oman’s official narrative both at home and abroad.

Media assets

News agency: ONA

State Media Matrix Typology

Ownership and governance

ONA was established by Royal Decree No. 39/1996 as a state-owned media institution. In 1997, the agency was integrated into the Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) through Royal Decree No. 43/1997. Nearly a decade later, its administrative control was shifted again via Royal Decree No. 75/2006, which transferred ONA to the Ministry of Information, where it remains to this day.

The Ministry of Information holds full decision-making authority over ONA’s operations, appointments, and editorial direction. As of June 2025, no structural changes or governance reforms have been introduced to alter the agency’s status or enhance its institutional autonomy.

As of mid-2025, Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Araimi serves as Director General and Editor‑in‑Chief of ONA. He has been active in both domestic operations and as a representative at regional media forums.

Source of funding and budget

ONA is entirely funded by the state, receiving its operational budget through the Ministry of Information’s annual allocations. According to local journalists and media experts interviewed for this report in May 2024 and March 2025, ONA does not operate on advertising or commercial income and has no diversified revenue streams.

There are no publicly available financial reports, nor are there any known independent audits or oversight mechanisms for ONA’s budget. This lack of transparency is in line with broader patterns across Oman’s publicly funded media institutions.

Editorial independence

ONA operates under strict editorial constraints, with content production designed to reflect and amplify the positions of Oman’s ruling authorities. The agency’s mission is explicitly aligned with promoting state policies, showcasing official achievements, and supporting the image of the Sultanate on the international stage.

Criticism of the government, royal family, or public institutions is entirely off-limits. Journalistic discretion is limited, and editorial decisions are subject to government approval, whether directly or indirectly.

As of mid-2025, there is no statutory provision or regulatory mechanism safeguarding ONA’s editorial independence. The agency is not subject to external monitoring, and no independent body exists to assess the fairness or balance of its reporting.

July 2025