Talking Point

The first ever question, perhaps, in the Maldives history over a website, and definitely the very first of its kind on a blog post, is being asked in Maldives Parliament Tuesday, 4 March 2008. The question is being asked by Member of Parliament for Dhaalu Atoll, Ahmed Nashid. The question is directed to me. The question relates to a remark I made in a post I published on 21 December 2007 on this blog. I said there that I did see some documents in the hands of some parliamentarians "incriminating" Dr Ahmed Shaheed, former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Are journalists, as individual citizens in this country, entitled to their personal opinions on the way the government works, or people get about their daily lives?

Why not, one can argue. The men and women who work in media institutions can have their personal views and even stronger opinions.

With only three weeks to celebrate its thirtieth birthday, TVM is finally growing up. It is becoming more responsive to viewer needs. It is becoming more news oriented. It is practicing democratic journalism. It is showing more professionalism. It is shifting towards public broadcasting. Against the backdrop of a fast changing democratic landscape, TVM is entering an ambitious phase of serious transition.

How should we celebrate our National Day? Should we celebrate our National Day at all? Those were the two main news headlines I wanted to see in the media today as we Maldivians celebrated our sixty-fourth National Day.

The much anticipated debate on the broadcast bill began Monday, the 3rd of this month. Most part of that parliamentary day was spent on concluding debate on the Pensions Bill. Once a vote was successfully taken to accept the bill, there was time left in the day only for me to offer some introductory remarks on the broadcast bill to kick off its debate and for just one intervention from the former Information Minister (presently Environment and Energy Minister).

Tuesday this week, I met an informal alliance of Maldives civil society representatives. The delegation included activists from Transparency Maldives, Rights for All, Detainees Network, Open Society and Women Against Drugs. I may be inaccurate in recollecting their names. I write their names based on my recollection of their introductions. Quite contrary to the usual political rhetoric we hear, it is too early I would say, for one to write off the youths of this country. I was impressed with the team's solid enthusiasm and clean intention. There is still a great deal of hope for the youths of this country.

Wow. This is the longest break I have had from blogging. There are several reasons for this dead silence. Here I will tell you just one.