Parliament opens nominations for new media commission
The Elections Commission has opened nominations for the four members of the commission to be elected by media organisations.
Top Stories
-
Complaint filed with JSC over judge’s remarks on defence lawyer
-
Court orders 5-day remand for MP Zakir over fishermen’s protest
-
Chinese firm awarded MVR 91.8M Hulhumalé road works contract
-
Malé mayor says council audit findings sent to ACC, police
-
Yameen accuses president of failing to deliver on promises
Parliament on Tuesday announced nominations for its appointments to the newly established Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC), created under a new media law backed by the government.
Under the law, three of the seven members of the commission are to be appointed by parliament. The deadline for applications is set at 12 noon on 12 October.
The announcement outlined eligibility requirements for candidates as set out in the law. Applicants must:
-
Be at least 30 years of age;
-
Hold a bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcasting, policy making or management, or have at least five years of experience in the media;
-
Have experience as an editor or as a person responsible for a media outlet;
-
Not hold an elected or appointed constitutional office or be a member of a political party;
-
Not have been convicted of serious crimes including drug trafficking, child sexual abuse, fraud or bribery;
-
Not own a business in the field of communication or media services.
Meanwhile, the Elections Commission has opened nominations for the four members of the commission to be elected by media organisations. The first list of eligible voters was published on Sunday.
The MMBC replaces the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC), both of which were dissolved following the ratification of the Media Control Bill on 18 September. The new legislation dismantled the previous self-regulatory system for the media.
The law was introduced in parliament by Abdul Hannan Abubakar, MP for Thulhaadhoo, with the support of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). It was drafted by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim.
The bill was passed within two weeks while parliament was in recess, with several committee meetings on the matter held behind closed doors. Local journalists and international media organisations had raised concerns about the legislation before its ratification.
