Muscat: The training program for media professionals on child rights, under the slogan 'Child-Friendly Media,' began today. The 4-day program is organized by the Ministry of Social Development in coordination with the Media Training Center at the Ministry of Information.

According to Oman News Agency, Amal Ali Al Masoudi, Head of the Electronic Platforms Department at the Directorate General of Electronic Media and the Ministry of Information's representative on the Committee for Following up the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, stated: 'The program sets a roadmap and a professional path that enhances the mechanisms of presenting and handling media issues related to the Omani child.'

She added that the ministry is keen to provide safe media content compatible with modern technologies that meets the aspirations of children and youth, in addition to honing the skills of media professionals through specialized training programs to produce media messages directed at children.

For her part, Fatima Nasser Al Shu'aili, Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department in the Child Affairs Department at the Ministry of Social Development, clarified that the program comes as part of national efforts to enhance child protection and empowerment by building media capacities according to the rights-based approach, and establishing a clear methodology for child-directed media messages based on the target groups.

The program includes 5 main sessions in multiple areas, including childhood media and child rights in the digital revolution era, and a visual presentation on child rights presented by the Arab Council for Childhood and Development. The program is held in partnership with the Ministry of Information, Sultan Qaboos University, the Arab Council for Childhood and Development, the League of Arab States, the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).