MBC finally assumes management of TVM and VOM

The Maldivian Public Service Broadcaster, Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has finally assumed control and management of the Television Maldives (TVM) and the Voice of Maldives (VOM). Operations of the MBC have officially started today.

Chairman of MBC Board Ibrahim Umar Manik told the media in a press conference held today at TVM Studio that all the legal formalities and requirements that needed to be fulfilled before the takeover had been duly fulfilled. He assured that the MBC would act in the future as a fair and balanced media outlet, serving the whole nation.

“I assure the Government, all the political parties and political leaders that we will be balanced, fair, and professional in providing our services, and we hope that you all would work with us in a constructive manner”, said Manik.

In today’s press conference, Manik said that all the staff of former Television Maldives and Voice of Maldives dismissed by MNBC would be, in accordance with the law, reinstated.

“Our Board has decided that all the staff who lost their jobs under the MNBC would be reinstated, and all the current staff would have job security. We have not decided to dismiss any of the current staff”, said Manik.

Manik said that all the Media Centres in the atolls would be returned to operations, and that MBC journalists and producers would be stationed at those Centres, so that MBC news coverage and services would encompass the whole country.

Ahmed Shafeeq, the new Managing Director of MBC, said that a new editorial policy would be brought into operation, and that the policy would ensure independent, balanced, and fair service.

TVM and VOM have been under the control of Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC), a government corporation formed by former President Nasheed, until the 7th of this month when Nasheed resigned from office. Nasheed’s government defied statutes and enforcing court decisions in letting MNBC run the state media.

However, as soon as Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, Nasheed’s Deputy, was sworn in as President following Nasheed’s resignation, the new leader guaranteed the independence of state media and started the process of handing over TVM and VOM to MBC. The process took a 8 days.