The Maldives Parliament has confirmed Mohamed Farushath as the president of the newly established Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC). The appointment followed a vote in which 49 parliamentarians supported his selection.
The Independent Institutions Committee conducted interviews with candidates and unanimously recommended Farushath for the post. He had formerly served as the secretary-general of the Maldives Media Council.
The MMBC is a seven-member body. Three members are appointed by Parliament and four are elected by registered media organisations (two representing broadcasters and two representing online media). Parliament is empowered to appoint the president of the commission. While Parliament appoints the President, the commission’s Vice President is elected by its members.
Farushath brings extensive experience from the education and public service sectors. He reportedly holds a master’s degree in Tourism Management from the University of Westminster and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Northumbria. He also served more than 15 years at the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The establishment of the MMBC follows the passage of the Media and Broadcasting Regulation Law, which dissolved the previous regulatory bodies and established the new commission.