First National level Consultation on Community Media organised in Male

First National level Consultation on Community Media organised in Male

Male’, 06/02/2015: Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), New Delhi in collaboration with Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) organised a National Consultation on Community Media on February 05, 2015 in Male’, Maldives. A total of 27 participants attended the consultation. In his welcome speech at the inaugural session, Mr. Mohamed Aslam, Commissioner of the MBC mentioned about their vision to initiate community broadcasting in different atolls and islands in the Maldives. Dr. Ankuran Dutta, Programme Officer, CEMCA appreciated the initiative of the commission on community broadcasting in the country and enumerated the objectives and methodology of the consultation. The Vice President of MBC, Mr. Abdullah Saju graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Ms. Aishath Shaaheen, Director, Planning and Projects of MBC delivered the vote of thanks at the session.

In the consultation, Ms. Noora Ali, Secretary General of MBC  sketched on the broadcasting scenario in Maldives. Ms. Aishath Shaaheen analysed the research findings from the preliminary research and consultancy for community broadcasting conducted by Dr. Murray Green on behalf of the MBC in 2012-13. Dr. Ankuran Dutta took two interactive sessions on ‘Why Community Media in Maldives’ and ‘Community Radio in South Asia- Status and Challenges’. The participants developed a set of recommendations in four groups and handed over to the commission. The sessions were chaired by Mr. Mohamed Nasih, Director General, Maldives Broadcasting Commission. The participants represented different government and non-government organisations, such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Human Rights Commission, Communication Authority of Maldives, Transparency Maldives, Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu, National Bureau of Classifications, United Nations Development Programme, Dhiraagu, Maldives Red Crescent, Island Broadcasting Company, MBC TVM, the Maldives National University, Medlanet Pvt Ltd, Hope for Women and Maldives Broadcasting Commission.