Public Service Media (PSM) has won multiple awards at the first-ever Maldives Broadcast Awards organised by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom). As such, a total of 15 awards were presented to products of the state media.
Many of the awards bagged by PSM were presented to products from Television Maldives (TVM) and Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu (DRA). Meanwhile, Editor of PSM News Abdulla Muaz won the Best News Anchor Award and Aiminath Namza, who presented the programmes broadcast by TVM, won the Best Presenter Award.
A Special Jury Award was also presented at the ceremony. The award went to Thoddu: The Island of Watermelon under the Best Award for Technical Excellence and Shamra Shameem (Kudu) won the Most Promising TV Programme Presenter Award. In addition, awards were presented to Ibrahim Manik (Samarey), and the late Zahidha Ibrahim (Zahidhaahtha) in recognition for their services to radio broadcasting.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, President of Broadcom Mariyam Waheedha said the awards are given to those working in the broadcast sector to encourage the present generation and create interest in the field. She said broadcasters complain about not getting funds to improve the quality of their programmes and called to provide equal assistance for all media companies.
The awards were introduced by Broadcom in recognition of the role played by the broadcasting industry in promoting and maintaining freedom of expression and democracy in the Maldives, nation building, raising public awareness and enriching information in various fields.