Parliament Committee approves changes to Public Service Media Act
The bill was proposed by Hoarafushi constituency MP Mohamed Ismail, from the government-aligned MDA
PSM board members
Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions has approved an amendment to the Public Service Media Act proposed by the ruling coalition which states that the state broadcaster does not require parliament approval to appoint members to its board.
The bill was proposed by Hoarafushi constituency MP Mohamed Ismail, from the government-aligned Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).
It was approved by the Committee on Independent Institutions and sent to the parliament floor last Wednesday, with all government-aligned MPs at the committee meeting voting in favor.
According to the committee report, the approval comes after just two meetings to deliberate on the bill.
The amendment further states that PSM must appoint board members within 10 days after the bill comes into effect.
After parliament approves the bill and is ratified by President Abdulla Yameen, the state broadcaster must appoint new members to its board. The current members are, chairman Umar Manik, managing director Ibrahim Khaleel, deputy managing director Mohamed Ikram Abdul Latheef, Mahmoof Ali, Aminath Shayaan Shahid, Ibrahim Hilmy and Mohamed Shaagil.
All seven were approved by the parliament.
However, the proposed new bill states that PSM board members will be appointed by the Privatization and Corporatization Board, under the President's instructions. While current regulations state that its managing director and deputy are to be selected through a vote by the director's board, the proposed amendment notes that the managing director and deputy will be selected by the said Privatization and Corporatization Board.
Furthermore, while it currently states that the term of PSM board members is four years, the change will increase it to seven.
