President ratifies Broadcasting Corporation Bill

President Mohamed Nasheed has ratified the bill on establishing the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation, which was originally passed by Parliament on 6 April 2010.

The bill will see the establishment of a national broadcaster which will be presided over by a nine-member board of directors. The board will be appointed by and has to answer to the People’s Majlis.

The government wants the corporation to be free from political and commercial influence, and to broadcast public service announcements and matters of the state (such as President Nasheed’s speeches) to be televised at no cost to the government.

Press Secretary for the President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair said Attorney General Husnu Suood told the president there would be “some difficulties” in implementing the bill, and the government will now be proposing some amendments.

Zuhair said the formation of a new public broadcaster “will be best for the general public” as it will be a “limited liability company.”

Zuhair added that the assets from the existing Maldives National Broadcasting Company (MNBC) will be transferred to the new corporation. “They are looking at the legal aspects of it right now,” he said.