The state broadcaster Public Service Media (PSM) follows ethics and maintains discipline best among media outlets in the Maldives, former President of the now-abolished Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) Safa Shafeeq said in a parliament committee today, as she seeks membership of the new Media Control Commission.
Safa appeared for the interview with the parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions. She claimed that she always keep discipline in mind and accept the laws and regulations.
She previously worked at the Television Maldives (TVM) which is also under the state broadcaster. Safa said she learned a lot at TVM and gained many experiences.
"PSM and TVM. You will probably agree, they are very disciplined and follows ethics. If you look at the media in the Maldives, PSM and TVM will follow ethics the best," Safa said.
She noted that she was appointed as the President of Broadcom eight months before the commission was abolished and claimed that investigations were fast-tracked after she took over.
The criticisms raised by the media and the public were not considered in the investigations, she added.
"Rules and regulation is something I believe in very much. I don't believe that we just have freedom of speech. There is responsibility that comes with it," Safa said.
Safa now believes that the new Media Control Law will regulate the media. However, she expressed concern in the same committee two months ago because no research or consultation was conducted before the bill was drafted.
She told the committee that she regretted because the Broadcom 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.
She warned that it will not be easy to implement the provisions of the bill.
She now says the law is very general and additional rules can be made under the law to address issues.
Some members of the committee expressed dissatisfaction today with her remarks during her first appearance at the committee before the bill became a law.
