PSM Partners With Amateur Radio Society to Expand Religious Broadcasts to Dharavandhoo

Public Service Media (PSM) has partnered with the Maldives Amateur Radio Society to bring the religious radio channel, Dheenuge Adu, to the residents of Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll. The agreement, signed at the PSM Television Building, aims to utilize amateur radio technology to bridge gaps in broadcasting accessibility across the archipelago. Under the terms of the collaboration, PSM will provide the necessary technical equipment to facilitate the broadcasts. The initiative is designed as a public service project, prioritizing community access to spiritual and educational content over commercial gain. PSM Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb emphasized that the goal is to ensure every Maldivian has access to the full suite of audio and video channels under the state media umbrella. He noted that while some channels remain unavailable in certain regions due to various technical barriers, PSM remains open to collaborating with private entities to solve these challenges. Mohamed Ibrahim, Vice President of the Maldives Amateur Radio Society, revealed that the project is the result of several months of preparation. He explained that the current setup utilizes approximately 25 watts of power, which is sufficient to cover Dharavandhoo and potentially reach nearby Dhonfanu. The society intends to use this as a pilot for further expansion, planning future partnerships with other island councils to extend the service to more communities. The Maldives Amateur Radio Society consists of licensed operators who manage radio services under individual licenses. Currently, there are only four licensed amateur radio operators in the country, making this partnership a vital link in expanding the reach of state-sponsored religious programming through niche technology.