The Independent Institutions Committee of the Parliament has approved the appointment of Mohamed Farsath as the President of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission comprises seven members, three of whom are elected by the Parliament and four by media representatives.
Farsath, a former member of the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM), was approved for the presidency following interviews conducted by the Independent Institutions Committee with all seven members of the commission.
Although Farsath has been approved for the role, his appointment must still be confirmed through a Parliamentary vote. Although Parliamentary approval is required to appoint the Commission’s President, its Vice President is elected by a vote among Commission members.
The newly formed Media Commission will assume the combined responsibilities of the former Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom). All documentation and archives pertaining to newspapers and magazines currently registered with the relevant government ministry will be transferred to the new commission. Going forward, new media and broadcasters will be required to apply for registration directly with this commission, rather than the relevant ministry.
The responsibilities of the MMC include establishing a complaint mechanism for broadcasters, media, media personnel and journalists who act in violation of the Code of Conduct and other rules set out under the Act. It is the responsibility of the Commission to investigate breaches and take action against those who violate the Code of Conduct.