The Competition

Until this year, TVM was the only TV station in Maldives. One competing station is already on the air and another one is about to launch. Both stations will have competing newscasts. In order to compete TVM will have to start doing more packages about more relevant stories that are interesting to the viewers. One Problem: Maldivians do not like to appear on camera, getting an interview with anyone other then a government official ( or even with a government official) can be like pulling teeth. Worse, the reporters themselves to do not want to appear on camera. So their packages have no stand ups, they simply refuse to do them, and act as if in mortal terror when suggested they might be made mandatory. Mine was the only standup on the English language news last night , or the few nights since I’ve been here. That said, Maldives has no tradition of broadcast journalism and the people may need some time to get used to the idea of being on camera.