PSM News must serve as a vital force in the promotion of nationalism and the preservation of the Dhivehi language and cultural heritage, Heena Waleed, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, said during an address to the state broadcaster. The network occupies a pivotal role in the education of the public and the shaping of national identity, the minister highlighted at a ceremony marking the organisation’s ninth anniversary.
Reflecting upon the network's metamorphosis, Minister Heena, who was instrumental in the founding of PSM News, expressed satisfaction with the news team’s dedication to information dissemination. The stewardship of the nation’s state media organisation inherently demands a heightened level of accountability, she noted, underscoring the importance of rigorous fact-checking and the verification of truth. The network’s foundational duty is to ensure that reliable information reaches citizens throughout the diverse regions of the Maldives, she added.
The imperative to cultivate cultural appreciation among the younger generation centred the minister’s address. The broadcaster must foster a deep-seated love for the nation’s customs and history in the hearts of children, she implored.
"To inspire the entire nation to safeguard the Dhivehi language, our national identity, and our cultural heritage by actively disseminating related information; to instill a profound affection for our native tongue within the hearts of our youth; and to fulfil the vital role of a news organisation that ensures our children awaken to a deep awareness of our customs, culture, and traditions: that is the vision I aspire to see realised by PSM News," Minister Heena remarked.
Characterising the operation as an advanced newsroom, the minister commended the organisation’s institutional growth. Accolades were presented across 19 categories during the proceedings, recognising outstanding performance over the preceding year.