Vice President of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission raised his concern on the dormancy of the Public Service Broadcasting

June 26, 2011

Media Release

Number: 427-BC/MS/2011/03

Since the inception of the broadcasting industry 48 years ago, a significant consideration has been given to Public Service Broadcasting. However, the Vice President of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission raised his concern on the dormancy of Public Service Broadcasting despite these years of service.

He stated the above, during his visit to the 20th Annual Seminar on Refocusing Public Service Broadcasting in South Asia held in India, Hyderabad from 24th – 27th June 2011, by the Asian Media Information and Communication Center.

In his speech, Mr. Mohamed Shahyb touched upon how Radio broadcasting began on 29th December 1962 and Television broadcasting on 29th March 1978. In this regard, he underlined the vital role played by these two dominant Broadcasting media as State Broadcasters in the Maldivian broadcasting industry, and highlighted the key role TV & Radio has played in providing information, entertainment and educational content and creating knowledge and awareness among the general public.

Emphasizing on the major development the nation has witnessed after the establishment of the two main broadcast media, the Vice President complimented on how they overcame the most critical times with hard work and utmost contribution from the society, despite the challenges and obstacles endured during those times. And, the programs aired by these two media for the well-being of the society

By stressing on the significant role of Public Service Broadcasting in the development of a nation, he said during the former times 90 percent of Television and Radio programs had been transmitted exclusively as Public Service Broadcasting.

In this regard, he reflected upon the several programs that had been transmitted as Public Service Broadcast including the programs aired on Voice of Maldives to support the events undertaken on a national level to educate the population. Also, programs were aired to create awareness and educate the public during the 1970’s and 1980‘s Cholera epidemic, which spread rapidly throughout the nation, and programs were brought to create awareness on how to prevent diseases such as Shigella and Malaria. Moreover, programs aired to promote the national involvement of individuals in agriculture and fisheries industry were some of the programs aired under the Public Service Broadcasting banner.

The purpose of the visit by the Vice President of the Broadcasting Commission was to accept the invitation from AMIC to present an overview of the development and experience of Public Service Broadcasting and the challenges and obstacles to broadcasting in a small island nation such as the Maldives.

The Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) is a non-profit NGO and a registered charity in Singapore with the mission of spearheading the development of media and communication expertise in Asia within the broader framework of economic, social and cultural development.

26 June 2011