Bill to establish MBS sent to Majlis committee

Friday, October 16th, 2009

15maj400The Bill to establish Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBS) which was introduced by Kulhuhuffushi Dekunu constituency member Mohamed Nasheed, an Independent member, has been sent to a 7 member temporary committee yesterday.

In his introduction of the Bill to the People’s Majlis, Mohamed Nasheed said that the goal of the Bill was to establish an unbiased public service broadcasting service in the country.

Many members who spoke said that this Bill was very much the need of the hour and praised Mohamed Nasheed drafting and proposing the Bill. Majlis members, including Kulhudhuffushi North constituency member Nasheed noted that this Bill was introduced in 2006 but was not passed and so he has introduced it again with some changes.

As is the norm in the Majlis, two major political parties of the country took two different stands on certain aspects of the Bill. Majlis members hailing from Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) pointed out the provision in the Bill that gives the Majlis the power to appoint the board of directors of MBC.

Most MDP members who spoke in this regard said that the approval of board of directors of MBC simply politicizes the board.
Baarah constituency member Mohamed Shifaz said, “If Majlis is to approve the board of directors of MBC, why not do the same to STELCO, STO and MTCC boards.”

From the opposition side, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), People’s Alliance and Independents supported this provision.

Thulusdhoo constituency member Rozaina Adam, supporting this provision said, “If the board of directors are approved by Majlis, then board of directors will represent all the political parties.”

Some of DRP, PA and Independents also accused the state run media of being a propaganda machine of MDP. Some of them said that Maldivians now prefer to watch other channels as they try to show a more balanced viewpoint. Some members cited real experiences of TVM’s “biased” attitude of giving preference to MDP members when calling out for interviews or when airing interviews.

Members like Fares Maathodaa constituency member Ibrahim Muhthalib while accepting that religious programs has increased now, pointed out that TVM gives preference to non religious shows. Citing an example he said that TVM talked about introducing an Islamic channel but before that could be set up, Youth TV has begun.

MDP members defended that state media saying that 27% of TVM airtime was taken up by live Majlis coverage and for this reason alone, TVM cannot be called a propaganda machine. They also reminded members that Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation was established in December 2008, after the MDP ruled government came to power, in order to enable freedom of press. Henveiru South member Haamid Abdul Gafoor said that this Bill very much matches the spirit of MDP or the principles MDP stands for.

Defending TVM, Thimarafushi constituency member Mohamed Musthafa said that Villa TV and DhiTV sendprograms which are clearly biased towards MDP and the government.

Didhoo constituency member said that this Bill focuses only on TVM and Voice of Maldives (VOM). He also said that some other Bill should compliment this Bill.

Other members who spoke on the same lines said that this Bill is simply trying to regulate state run media and not the private media outlets. They said that an additional Bill should be introduced which regularizes all the media in the same manner.

The final word on the Bill was said by Mohamed Nasheed. He said that the aim of allowing Majlis to approve the board of directors was to avoid one party control of the board, instead, to create a board where all political parties are represented.

The seven member committees, which will work on this Bill, include gemanafushi constituency member Ilham Ahmed, Mathiveri Constituency member Hussein Mohamed, Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu constituency member Mohamed Nasheed, Isdhoo constituency member Ahmed Rasheed Ibrahim, Kudahuvadhoo member Ahmed Amir, Baarah member Mohamed Shifaz and Manadhoo member Mohamed Thoriq.

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