Muscat: The Government Communication Center today held its 30th meeting titled ‘Proactive Communication Among Government Units’. It was attended by directors and representatives of communication and media departments in government units.
According to Oman News Agency, the meeting aimed to boost the preparedness of communication and media departments, enhance their readiness to manage government decisions, and draw out a uniform understanding of approved methodologies prior to the announcement of government decisions.
The meeting also sought to establish consistent government discourse and ensure the issuance of accurate and balanced messages. Additionally, it provided an opportunity to highlight successful experiences in proactive communication among government units.
Ibrahim Salim Al Salmi, Director General and Editor-in-Chief of Oman News Agency, in-Charge of the Government Communication Center, emphasized that the meeting was part of the Center’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of communication within government units and highlight professional practices that support decision-making and implementation.
He stated, “Experience proved that the success of any government decision does not depend solely on the content of the decision, but rather it is closely linked to how such decision is presented to society, the time of unveiling the decision, and the standard of communication readiness that accompanies the announcement of the decision. These factors underscore the importance of proactive communication as a fundamental factor in enhancing confidence and mutual understanding between the government and society.”
Al Salmi pointed out that the meeting reflects the Center’s approach of shifting from reactive communication to proactive communication, developing shared institutional awareness about the importance of in-depth preparation for decisions that have a social impact, with the aim of diminishing challenges linked to implementation, unifying the discourse, and raising the level of understanding and acceptance.
The meeting included presentations about the importance of systematic communication planning and its role in supporting decision-making and preparing the public to understand government procedures.
The Government Communication Center provided a presentation addressing the conceptual and strategic framework for proactive communication and its role in enhancing institutional coordination.
Zamzam Hamad Al Hinai, Director of the Media Agenda and Integration Department at the Government Communication Center, mentioned that such meetings offer opportunities to exchange knowledge and showcase experiences in government communication, significantly promoting the adoption of best practices in public communication.
Abdulaziz Darwish Al Zadjali, Director of the Communication and Media Department at the Ministry of Labour, gave a visual presentation outlining the experience of proactive communication in the run-up to the Labour Law.
Osama Salim Al Shukaili, Digital Communication and Marketing Analyst at the Tax Authority, provided a visual presentation on proactive communication in the context of the Personal Income Tax Law, reviewing key practices and mechanisms for preparing the public and delivering relevant communication messages.
The meeting was part of the Government Communication Center’s efforts to develop government communication and enhance the exchange of experiences between communication and media departments in government units, serving the public interest and enhancing confidence and interaction with society.