Broadcasting Licences Still Up in the Air

The Ministry of Information and Arts has said that it is unable to predict when private broadcasters will be allowed to begin transmitting in the Maldives.

Recently, the Ministry retracted its promise to grant permits to private broadcasters, which were scheduled to be issue at the end of last October.

In an explanation of its action, the government said that before transmission could begin an act of parliament governing private broadcasting would be needed. They said this was due to the “negative effects of unconditional press freedom”.

The government made this decision despite telling Haveeru Daily two weeks prior that privately owned broadcast media would be able to obtain licences “quickly”.

The decision to prohibit private broadcasting also followed a meeting with members of the International Mission for Press Freedom (which is comprised of several press freedom organisations including Article 19, Reporters Without Borders and the International Federation of Journalists) in May. At the meeting, the Information Ministry reportedly promised a “rapid authorisation of private broadcasters and the creation of a Media Advisory Board consisting of leading figures”.

Speaking of the Maldivian Government’s decision, the International Mission said: “[We] understand that a legal framework is needed for the licensing of private broadcasters in line with the practice around the world. We do not believe, however, that there is any reason why such a legal framework should not have been developed by now.”

The statement continued: “the official ‘Roadmap for the Reform Agenda’ said legislation of privately-owned broadcast media (putting an end to the State monopoly on radio and television) would be completed by 31 October. However, on 1 November 2006 it was announced that this legislation has been delayed.”

In its latest statement, given earlier this week, the Information Ministry still had no idea when the press freedom section of the President’s Roadmap would be implemented. Speaking to Hamma Daily on the situation, Mohamed Arif, a senior official at the Ministry said: “Now there is a draft Bill in the Majlis (General Assembly). I don’t know when the Bill will be passed by the Majlis to allow us issue permits to private broadcasters to start their businesses in the country”.

When asked why the government has failed to deliver its promise Arif replied: “We changed the plan as there was no law to regulate the activity”.

Several parties have reportedly invested millions in broadcasting technology when the government initially announced a date for allowing private broadcasters to do business. These parties claim that due to the delays in awarding permits they are presently handling unnecessary costs.

Reports say that more than 30 parties applied for broadcasting licenses before October.

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