Q & A on BBS MD! Hon. Dupthob Hon’ble Minister, Understanding the importance of media in our emerging democracy and to maintain the neutrality and non-partisan nature of media organizations, it is of paramount importance to respect the neutrality of media organizations and for all its affairs to be conducted in the most open, fair and transparent manner. However, as is common knowledge, the new MD of BBS was not selected through open selection. Everyone knows that the former MDs of BBS was appointed by the Board through an open selection interview. Furthermore, all former MDs were drawn from the poo of senior public servants. In this particular instance, the MD was directly appointed by the Government. The Opposition is deeply concerned about this and would like to seek a proper explanation on the criterion and procedures followed in the selection of the new MD as it has grave implications for the independence and neutrality of media organizations now and in the future? Answer by the MoIC Minister As per the guidelines for boards of government corporations and for government appointed board directors, the chapter on appointment and removal of chief executive officer states, “A person may be recommended for the post of CEO by the Board through the Sector Ministry from among the list of eligible Civil Service candidates provided by the RCSC, if the Government wishes to appoint a civil servants on secondment”. After this very short and unsatisfactory response from the MoIC Minister, discussion ensued on the procedure involved in recruiting the new MD. During the ensuing discussion, members from the ruling government plainly asserted that the candidate selected by the board should have more weightage over the ones selected through formal recruitment procedure. Some ruling MPs plainly asserted that the government has the absolute authority to unilaterally appoint the MD of BBS, since it is a fully government owned corporation. This lackadaisical response from the government has instilled a sense of deep suspicion and skepticism in the minds of general public and media fraternity. If the government owned corporations do not have to abide by the very rules and procedures framed by the government, we are setting an unhealthy precedence of allowing the CEOs of corporations to be a political appointee. The precedence set by this government will have adverse ramification on the way BBS function hereafter. We seriously doubt if BBS would ever function independently, without prejudice, fear or favour.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 07:20:36 +0000