PSM Announces Top 16 Contestants for Best Radio Presenter Competition

The national broadcaster, Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu, has officially announced the top 16 contestants for the seventh season of the Best Radio Presenter (BRP) competition. The reality-style program is designed to identify and cultivate emerging talent within the Maldivian media landscape, offering young aspirants a platform to transition from enthusiasts to professionals. Speaking at the announcement event, PSM Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb emphasized that the competition serves as a critical gateway for those entering the media sector. Beyond the immediate thrill of the contest, participants will gain practical experience working across various channels under the Public Service Media (PSM) umbrella. To further incentivize the talent, PSM has committed to offering the ultimate winner a permanent position within either the television or radio departments. The competition will broadcast starting May 1, with a schedule tailored for maximum viewership and listenership. Performance episodes are slated for Saturdays at 14:00, while the high-stakes elimination rounds will air every Friday at the same time. Contestants will face a rigorous evaluation process across seven distinct radio formats. These include news reporting, storytelling, traditional interviews, field reporting, phone-in segments, and radio drama, ensuring the winner possesses a versatile skill set. A seasoned panel of judges—Hassan Haleem, Nuzuhath Shameem, and Ahmed Tholaal—will assess the participants, with veteran presenter Mizna Ahmed hosting the program. Since its inception in 2016, the BRP competition has become a prestigious benchmark for media excellence, though notably, all six previous winners have been women. This year, the stakes have been significantly raised. The grand prize has doubled from the previous year to USD 3,234.32. In addition to the cash prize and a trophy, the winner will secure a one-year contract as a radio presenter at Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu. The runner-up and third-place finishers will receive USD 1,617.17 and USD 1,293.74, respectively.