Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions finalised the decision to merge Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) and Maldives Media Council.
The Committee's Chair and Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam revealed to local media outlet Mihaaru that efforts to merge the two bodies were underway with input from Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath. The MP further disclosed that a four-member subcommittee was formed to forward documents related to the matter to the AG.
The subcommittee consists of Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shageef, Gan MP Mohamed Visaam and Vilimale MP Ahmed Usham. The former two MPs have considerable experience in journalism.
Although the previous administration proposed a bill to establish a state body under the name Maldives Media Commission to monitor all media outlets, it was rejected by the parliament. The bill would have resulted in the dissolution of both Broadcom and Maldives Media Council.
As per current laws, Broadcom overlooks the work of broadcasters while the media council oversees print and online media outlets. Both bodies were established under separate laws.
Broadcom President Mohamed Shaheeb resigned from his position on Wednesday while the parliamentary committee had scheduled the submission of a motion for his dismissal.
Broadcom members Hassan Nabaah and Ismail Sofwan also turned in their resignations while under investigation by the Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions, which had also decided on sacking Vice President Fathimath Zaina.
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