STATEMENT

Seychelles: Reaction as SBC bill becomes law

15 July 2026
One key concern is addressed, but the law remains vulnerable to political exploitation.
A white sign with the SBC logo on a stone wall.
A plaque with the SBC logo. Credit: SBC

The Public Media Alliance (PMA) welcomes a number of revisions to the SBC Act, which was given presidential assent on 9 July. However, key weaknesses in the legislation remain, which we believe require further assurances to guarantee the independence of the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).  

In June, a joint letter, on behalf of PMA and fellow press freedom and media organisations, was sent to the Seychelles’ Vice President, outlining serious reservations with the draft legislation. Our main concern was that the proposed shakeup of the SBC’s governance system and appointments process would centralise too much authority in the hands of the country’s president, significantly weakening the institutional independence the bill claimed to protect and undermining the core principles that underpin SBC’s role as a public service media organisation.  

Our concerns over the SBC bill centred on three critical issues:  

  1. That the president would be given the authority to appoint five board members: This was important as it meant presidential appointees would hold the balance of power amongst voting board members which could expose the public service broadcaster to political interference. 
  2. Proposed reforms to the presidential appointee nomination system: Whereas previously, members were nominated by the independent Constitutional Appointments Authority, this would now be done by a three-person select committee, whose members are appointed by the president.
  3. A lack of financial guarantees: the proposals would leave the SBC’s finances vulnerable to undue political pressure, rather than a safeguarded, long-term and sustainable financing model. 

PMA notes that there has been a critical revision to the draft bill regarding the first concern. 

In the updated SBC Act, the number of presidential appointees has reduced from five to four, including the chairperson and vice-chairperson. The remaining board comprises the CEO and deputy-CEO – who hold no voting rights – as well as single appointments from five separate institutions. 

This amendment goes some way to addressing PMA’s concern that presidential appointees would hold a voting majority. We maintain our position that, while some form of political representation on a public broadcaster’s board is an acceptable form of democratic accountability, such appointees should neither be overtly politically aligned nor constitute a majority. On this note, we are pleased to see the addition of two new clauses (III 8 (9 a & b)) which require all board members to act independently, and with “strict political impartiality”.  

The revised institutional appointments also merit attention. In the initial draft, four institutions were given the opportunity to appoint a board member: the Seychelles Media Commission; the Association of Media Practitioners (AMPS); the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS); and SBC staff. The new Act expands this to five institutions: AMPS; the National Assembly; CEPS; the Seychelles Interfaith Council Organisation; and SBC staff. The removal of the Seychelles Media Commission is understandable; the Commission itself argued that its regulatory role made board membership a conflict of interest. The inclusion of the Seychelles Interfaith Council Organisation reflects the public service principle of diverse and representative governance.

However, the inclusion of a National Assembly appointment does give rise to further concern. Given that the National Assembly is dominated by the president’s party, this appointment could, in effect, give board members of a certain political slant a majority on the board. This matters not just in this parliamentary cycle, but for future governments as well.

We look forward to continuing to engage with the Seychelles government on how this Act can be strengthened with robust mechanisms and firewalls which protect the public broadcaster’s independence.

Meanwhile, our second and third fundamental concerns remain unaddressed. We still hold reservations around the new process in place for the Seychelles’ president to appoint board members, which we fear could lead to the politicisation of the board. On 10 July, the three members of the select committee were appointed by the president. It is essential, for the legitimacy of the board members, that the individuals appointed to the select committee are independent and not unduly aligned with the president.

On funding, sustainable, long-term and adequate financing is imperative for the SBC to deliver its mandated services and ensure it can continue to invest in its future. As it stands, this law weakens the SBC’s financial autonomy and leaves it vulnerable to political pressure.

We continue to believe that this legislative change was an opportunity to futureproof the SBC in an era of growing disruption for media markets, and install long-lasting editorial and institutional firewalls to guarantee its independence.

We remain encouraged that certain aspects of the law do seek to ensure the SBC remains a relevant, trusted and universal service for all Seychellois, such as a new editorial charter, provisions for digital transformation, and the creation of new digital and AI strategies. In addition, we welcome enhanced provisions in the Act for the Editorial Charter which include new stipulations ensuring: “the Corporation’s independence from government; the Corporation’s editorial and creative freedom; [and] divergence of views.”

PMA notes the six month windows for the development of the Editorial Charter, and welcomes any opportunity to contribute to that process. Yet we are disappointed that essential protections of the SBC’s institutional independence from government interference and intrusive oversight remain lacking, leaving the SBC more vulnerable to future shocks. We look forward to continuing to engage with the Seychelles government on how this Act can be strengthened with robust mechanisms and firewalls which protect the public broadcaster’s independence. 

The Act vs the Bill: Key amendments 

The Act contains some key changes from the initial Bill. Here, we highlight the most significant amendments:  

1. Establishment, composition and mandate of Board 

  • Part III, Section 8 (2): The number of presidential appointments is reduced from five to four. The Seychelles Media Commission are removed from appointing a single board member; the National Assembly and the Seychelles Interfaith Council Organisation are added. 
  • Part III, Section 8 (9): The Act includes two new provisions to ensure that, when appointed, board members act independently and perform their role with “strict political impartiality.”  

2. Editorial Charter 

  • Part IV, Section 14 (1): The Act includes two new core principles which the Editorial Charter will affirm: diversity, and high-quality services which inform, educate and entertain.
  • Part IV, Section 14 (2): The Act includes three new required provisions that should be outlined in the Editorial Charter: “the Corporation’s independence from government; the Corporation’s editorial and creative freedom; [and] divergence of views.”  

3. Programming Principles 

  • Part IV, Section 15 (1): 
    • The Act includes a new principle that SBC programmes must uphold: “serve all audiences through the provision of impartial and balanced programming.” 
    • The “Youth” are also added as a new audience group entitled to “special consideration”, alongside children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. 
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