Badr Naseer resigns from Broadcasting Commission

Badr Naseer has today resigned as President and member of Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC), citing difficulties in fulfilling his responsibilities.

The Commission today published on its website an 11-page statement by Badr Naseer detailing his resignation.

Badr said that he joined MBC with the hope of serving the nation through his role as a media regulator; however, the current political turmoil in the Maldives has reduced the opportunities to do so.

He also noted that MBC is one of the institutions most adversely affected by the State’s financial constraints.

Badr said that he prefers a calmer, freer life which is better suited to his age, than being exposed to the persecutions and harassments of politicians and the public.

Further detailing the reasons for his resignation, Badr said that in spite of MBC being described as ‘independent’ on paper, the Commission’s independence is in fact questionable.

In this regard, he asked how much independence the Commission can have when its finances are under the control of Ministry of Finance.

Badr pointed out that the Commission has had no means to monitor the TV and radio channels in Maldives for the past one and a half years. The Commission nonetheless has managed to record the content of four TV channel by modifying its equipment and stretching its budget. While there is still no way to monitor radio channels, 20 new TV channels will be launched for next year’s Presidential Election campaigns.

He went on to say that requests had been made of the former as well as the current government to provide MBC with a monitoring system - the most essential piece of equipment for the Commission.

The Transport Minister of the former government had stated that the Commission should be able to monitor all content, even if it means that they have to purchase seven TVs and assign seven members of the Commission to the job, adding that it is part of MBC members’ duties, for which they are markedly compensated.

The current Transport Minister had acknowledged the importance of the system for the Commission, and assured that efforts will be made to provide it.

Badr said that the same request had been made of foreign embassies and even GMR.

He also said that efforts have been made to arrange a meeting with President Dr Mohamed Waheed to discuss the challenges faced by MBC; however, these efforts have so far not been successful.

Referring to some challenges faced by MBC, Badr said that the Commission still lacks Technical and Human Resources Departments, and that budget constraints have resulted in insufficient employees.

Badr also noted that the public ignorantly targeted criticism and hatred at MBC following the recent murder of a Police Officer in Kaashidhoo, accusing the Commission of failing to carry out its responsibilities.

Moreover, the Parliament had passed that the President of MBC will be provided a car, but fifteen months had passed with no such privilege.

Badr highlighted that over the past fourteen months, MBC had produced several rules and standards for the regulation of broadcasters, as well as conducted investigations into several complaints.

And even though no broadcaster has been suspended so far, several broadcasters have been advised to rectify their actions.

Badr expressed concern over the fact that the power of media is being misused, deliberately or out of ignorance, by those responsible - which results in adverse effects on the society.