Muwatin Beyond the Red Lines: A Story of Outmaneuvering Obstacles - Mohammed Al-Fazari
In 2013, amid the harsh reality of repression in Oman, the idea of creating Muwatin emerged as a small oasis of freedom and independence in a landscape dominated by censorship and restrictions, with both government and private media under tight control. Our vision for Muwatin was to launch another media outlet and craft a rebellious and unique journalistic experience in Oman. Muwatinembarked on its journey in an environment where the most basic elements of free and independent journalism were absent. Over time, due to escalating security pressures and a generally restrictive atmosphere, the institution relocated from Muscat to London in 2015. As the institution’s vision evolved and it faced challenges to its credibility, which I will discuss later, Muwatin broadened its focus in 2017 from exclusively local Omani issues to encompass Gulf and, more broadly, Arab affairs. Did reality align with our original vision? And was Muwatin able to fulfill its founding mission?
These are questions that both experts and ordinary citizens can ponder, each drawing from their own understanding and perspective.
Establishment and Key Challenges
On June 6, Muwatin was launched as a free platform designed to break through the red lines imposed by Oman’s absolute, totalitarian rule. The mission was clear: to provide a free and independent press to drive democratic transformation and strengthen citizenship by pushing the boundaries of freedom of expression. We observed that the press was more restricted by self-censorship—rooted in fear—than by the actual laws in Oman. This created a space where we could operate, starting from where local Omani media left off and pushing up to the limits set by Omani law, including the Penal Code, the Press Law, and the Electronic Crimes Law.
Although we consistently criticized many of these laws for their impact on press freedom, we were cautious not to give the regime any pretext to shut down the institution at its inception. Despite this caution, we inevitably clashed with the regime’s vision of journalism, which diverged sharply from ours. The regime saw journalism as a tool to promote its narrative, primarily focused on developing and amplifying its achievements. I often referred to this type as “development media” or “public relations media.” The regime’s stance was clear: even if we did not break the law and adhered to it despite our criticisms, our practice of a different kind of journalism—one that challenged the status quo—left us vulnerable.
● Challenge 1: Financial Difficulties and Sustainability
Muscat: Since its inception, Muwatin has operated without any external funders or supporters, relying instead on volunteer work and individual contributions from young Omanis who believed in its mission. However, despite the team’s unwavering dedication, maintaining high-quality content and striving to develop the organization without stable funding proved nearly impossible. In an effort to sustain our work, we sought advertisers from both government and private sectors, like any local media outlet. Yet, we were met with consistent rejection, as potential advertisers feared the consequences. Their reservations often cited the editor-in-chief’s background as a political and human rights activist or the outlet’s editorial policy. Additionally, securing donations was equally challenging due to the prevalent fear and the lack of a strong culture of giving, compounded by the weak state of civil society. We also refrained from seeking support from international organizations to avoid giving the regime any legal pretext to act against us.
London: After Muwatin relocated abroad and its editor-in-chief sought political asylum, the Omani team faced increasing difficulties, especially after the arrest of two female editors. The fear of security repercussions made it impossible for the team to continue, leading the organization to suspend operations until further notice. On May 3, 2017, coinciding with World Press Freedom Day, Muwatinresumed its work with a renewed vision. However, financial challenges have persisted, primarily due to our editorial policy, which challenges red lines, and our commitment to independence—factors that have hindered financial sustainability. The editorial stance makes it impossible to attract advertisers, while our insistence on independence has led us to reject any conditional support from Gulf governments; unlike most Arabic-language media institutions in London, which Gulf governments back, Muwatin remains independent, relying on international civil society organizations for unconditional support. However, while crucial, this type of funding does not enable significant development or ensure financial sustainability for the institution.
On June 6, 2013, Muwatin was launched as a free platform designed to break through the red lines imposed by Oman's absolute totalitarian regime. The mission was clear: to establish a free and independent press that advocates for democratic transformation and bolsters the principles of citizenship.
● The Second Challenge: Security Persecution
Muscat: The challenges faced by Muwatin extended beyond mere harassment; they included severe security persecution of team members and contributing writers. The team endured direct harassment and threats, with members living under the constant shadow of danger, leading to the successive withdrawal of some members. However, this did not deter the core team from their initial commitment. Despite the setbacks, Muwatin persisted, more as an idea than the fully operational institution originally envisioned. One of the most significant challenges was the arrest of the editor-in-chief, followed by confiscating his official documents, including his passport and identity card.
London: After Muwatin was relaunched abroad, the restrictions continued for anyone attempting to work with or contribute to the platform. Gulf regimes increasingly viewed the organization as an opposition project. Despite Muwatin never defining itself as such, its operation from abroad, combined with its editorial stance, made it easy for regimes to demonize and label it as oppositional. While we at Muwatin are not ashamed of this characterization—opposition work is not dishonorable—we have rejected this label for two reasons. First, it undermines the institution’s image as a platform striving to provide a free and objective experience rather than one that is oppositional and biased. Second, in the Gulf region, the term “opposition” is often linked in the public mind to treason, a narrative that Gulf regimes frequently reinforce.
This perception issue also intersected with the ambitions of the Muwatin team, who sought to expand from a focus on local Omani affairs to a broader concern with Gulf and Arab issues. Operating from abroad and focusing on a single country through a bold editorial policy reinforced the stereotypical image promoted by the Omani regime—that Muwatin was an opposition project. This also facilitated the spread of narratives accusing Muwatin of treason and working on behalf of neighboring Gulf countries.
Despite these obstacles, Muwatin has successfully demonstrated to its audience that it is not a biased opposition group but an objective organization committed to practicing fourth-estate journalism that challenges red lines with impartiality. This commitment to objectivity has been evident in the level of engagement, as reflected in the contributions to Muwatin‘s various programs, including opinion pieces, news stories, dialogues, and seminars.
● The Third Challenge: Blocking
London: From the very first moment Muwatin was relaunched from abroad on World Press Freedom Day, it faced immediate blocking in Oman. Over the years, the blocking has continued in Oman and Saudi Arabia, where access to Muwatin remains restricted. Qatar also blocked the site for a period, though the restriction was lifted after international reports highlighted the situation. At Muwatin, we hope no additional countries will follow suit in blocking access to our platform.
● The Fourth Challenge: Access to Information
Operating outside the Gulf has made accessing information more challenging due to geographical distance. However, this issue was not entirely new; it also existed when the institution was based within the region. The difficulty stemmed from the lack of a conducive environment for investigative journalism, the underdevelopment of civil society, and the absence of legal frameworks that guarantee the right to access information and protect sources.
Vision and Editorial Policy
From its inception, our vision at Muwatin has been clear and unequivocal: any regime that is hostile to free and independent journalism is inherently corrupt and undemocratic, and conversely, a regime that embraces such journalism fosters transparency and democracy. Strengthening independent journalism, therefore, is also about strengthening citizenship and supporting democratic transformation. By democracy, we refer to a system of government and a democratic environment where differences are valued and encouraged. Without this, society becomes stagnant and repressive. Given that we operate in a repressive environment that neither values diversity nor understands journalism beyond its utility in serving state interests, it was natural for us to adopt a journalistic approach that challenges red lines—this became our guiding principle.
From the outset, Muwatin has focused on human rights issues, including women’s rights. We have consistently highlighted women’s challenges in Gulf and Arab societies, shedding light on gender-based discrimination and the ongoing struggle for equality. Our commitment to women’s rights extends beyond mere publication; we have actively organized events to amplify women’s voices. In 2023, Muwatin launched several initiatives, the most notable being Munasarah (Advocacy) Magazine. Its inaugural issue addressed the issue of a woman’s right to pass on her nationality to her children and husband. The magazine was more than just a journalistic endeavor; it was a project that seamlessly integrated journalistic and legal advocacy, using its content and the real-world campaigns following its release to push for meaningful change.
Following Muwatin's relaunch from abroad, restrictions persisted on anyone attempting to work with or write for us as Gulf regimes increasingly perceived the organization as an opposition project. Despite Muwatin never identifying itself as such, its overseas operations and editorial stance made it easy for these regimes to demonize and label the initiative as oppositional.
Muwatin currently offers ten distinct programs: Stories, Opinions, Dialogues, Translations, Statements, Investigations, Studies, Café, Radio, and Publications. These programs span across ten key topics: Politics, Violations, Thought, Gender, Minorities, Journalism, Society, Creativity, Economy, and Environment. Through this diverse array of programs and topics, Muwatin provides a platform for journalists and writers of all interests and perspectives, allowing them to express their views and issues freely without any alignment. Whether you support or oppose absolute monarchies, back queer rights or are against them, or hold any ideological stance—be it religious, political, or economic—you have a place at Muwatin.
We at Muwatin believe that fostering a true state of citizenship requires an open dialogue that deconstructs and analyzes all matters related to the citizen, extending beyond just political issues. Democracy cannot take root without first embracing the concept of accepting differences. Some of the most critical social differences include doctrinal and sectarian diversity and views on religious sanctity. Genuine acceptance of others only happens when individuals are willing to question their own beliefs. When people operate from the premise of absolute truth, it inevitably leads to rejecting others and straying from the environment where democracy can thrive. Accepting those who are religiously different paves the way for accepting those who are politically different as well; the sanctity of religious belief often holds a higher place in the social hierarchy than individual convictions.
Major Achievements Despite Challenges
● Published Content:
To date, we have published over 2,000 pieces of content, including in-depth stories, features, data-driven reports, investigations, opinion articles, interviews, translations, and podcast episodes:
– In the past three years, approximately 80-90% of our published material has been contributed by writers and journalists outside the Muwatin team, highlighting the strong engagement between our platform and professionals in this sector. Notably, 50% of these contributions have come from women, reflecting Muwatin’s dedication to empowering women’s voices, promoting gender equality, and enhancing the role of women in journalism and society.
– Muwatin has published a significant body of work, including 550 analytical articles on political issues in the Gulf, 350 pieces that shed light on social issues within Gulf and Arab societies, and 500 articles discussing intellectual topics such as philosophical and religious matters. Additionally, 130 articles have focused on minority rights and human rights violations, 155 on economic and environmental issues, and 180 articles on gender and gender equality.
– Regarding audio content, Radio Muwatin has produced two notable podcasts: the History of Islam podcast, which presents unconventional narratives about Islamic history, and the Gulf Podcast, which discusses issues relevant to Gulf citizens and their aspirations for a state of citizenship.
● Other Important Numbers:
– Beyond publishing, Muwatin has organized 50 dialogue seminars to discuss issues of concern to Gulf and Arab public opinion, featuring contributions from over 150 speakers. The platform has also collaborated with more than 200 writers and journalists and has gathered input from hundreds of specialists for its journalistic stories. Muwatin has been referenced in over 80 academic studies, books, dialogues, and reports, and the editor-in-chief has received over 50 invitations to participate in conferences, media meetings, and workshops, alongside various contributions from team members.
● Partnerships and Memberships:
– Muwatin is a member of several key organizations, including the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), the Global Media Freedom Group (GMFC), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Media Viability Accelerator (MVA). The editor-in-chief is also a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Britain and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Furthermore, Muwatin has established partnerships through memoranda of understanding with institutions such as Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), the Pulitzer Centre, Raseef22, Courier International, Orient XXI, Intercoll, Declassified UK, and the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights.
Join Us in Supporting Independent Journalism
They say that my perspective might be biased if I claimed that the story of Muwatin is one of sheer determination and resolve in the face of challenges—or, more precisely, a tale of outmaneuvering obstacles. However, I can state with certainty that there was not a single valid reason for Muwatin to survive even one year, let alone 11 years, in an environment rife with restrictions, persecution, and financial hardships. Yet, thanks to the unwavering dedication and belief of those who embraced the idea, Muwatin has endured and evolved into a platform that boldly crosses red lines with as much objectivity and professionalism as possible. While Muwatin may be grand in its vision, it remains a small platform relative to the ambitions of its team, despite the significant growth we’ve seen between Muwatintoday and Muwatin yesterday. If we reflect on the past years, it’s clear that Muwatin is no longer just a media institution; it has become an idea and a narrative, a story titled Hope and Determination toward Change—Toward Strengthening the Desired State of Citizenship in the Gulf and the Arab world.
Muwatin calls upon all who value independent and free journalism and who strive for a state of citizenship to share our story and contribute to our cause. Continuing Muwatin and other independent initiatives depends on the public’s belief in our mission and its support in all its forms. Let us all continue to work toward a better future where freedom of expression and human rights are paramount. As I wrote on the day of our relaunch from London in 2017, on World Press Freedom Day:
“Life is a principle; even death is a principle. Only the fearful close windows, but when they close one, we will open ten more because we believe that darkness is merely a temporary absence of light, and light is the essence. We know that the price of a free word is steep, but we also know that a free word is the most precious thing a person can possess. Today is the product of yesterday, while tomorrow is today’s product. Create the Oman of tomorrow, even with a word. Plant a letter, and you will reap a word; plant a word and a homeland.
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