The Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) has expressed concern over the lack of research and consultation before drafting the bill to dismantle free press.
Broadcom members attended a meeting of the parliament committee on independent institutions to discuss the bill.
Broadcom President Safa Shafeeq told the committee that she regretted because the commission had not been consulted before submitting the bill.
"We are one regulatory body. We were not consulted. I don't think there was any kind of nationwide research or any meeting with stakeholders," she said.
Safa said it would have been easier to identify the real problems in regulating the media and find solutions if stakeholders were consulted.
“Our say is very important because we know the type of challenges we face now. We know, very well, the reasons for delays. Those who implement will know the reasons," she stated.
Safa noted the importance of referring to best practice in other countries and think about the consequences of the regulating the media in the Maldives.
"Should we go for a self-regulatory system, where all members are elected or co-regulation? I believe it is very important to see if they are academically qualified and see if the majority of the journalists are self-disciplined," she added.
She warned that it will not be easy to implement the provisions of the bill.
She complained about insufficient funds for Broadcom and the lack of an adequate monitoring system.
Safa noted that the challenges would be compounded by the proposed merger of broadcasting media as well as print and online media, rebroadcasting media and OTT platforms.
She further raised concerns over the qualifications of the members of the commission to regulate the media.
