President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr. Patrick Herminie, on Thursday 9th July 2026, formally assented to the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Act, 2026 at a ceremony held at State House, bringing into force a landmark legislation that establishes a renewed and strengthened legal framework for the country's national public broadcaster.

Vice-President Sebastian Pillay, in his capacity as Minister of Information, stood as witness to the assent alongside the President.

The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mrs. Azarel Ernesta, Chief Justice Rony Govinden, President of the Court of Appeal Justice Anthony Fernando, Principal Secretary, Ministers, Member of the National Assembly, members of the Board and management of SBC, and a representative of the Department of Information.

Reflecting on the SBC's enduring role in national life, Vice-President Pillay, in his remarks, noted that for more than three decades, the Corporation has been the voice of Seychelles, informing the public in moments of celebration, sustaining it through moments of crisis, and preserving the nation's culture, music, and stories for every corner of the country and beyond its shores.

The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Act 2026 replaces the existing legislative framework under which the SBC has operated and introduces updated provisions anchored in the principle of the separation of powers and institutional autonomy. The Act confers upon the Corporation a clear and unambiguous mandate, independent in its operation, comprehensive in its coverage, and firmly rooted in Seychelles' three national languages: Creole, English, and French.

According to the Vice-President, among its principal provisions, the Act calls upon the SBC to nurture creative talent, engage every age group within society, champion sport, and take deliberate steps to safeguard children within the community. It further calls upon the Corporation to host the calibre of debate and national dialogue that serves the public interest.

Vice-President Pillay also underscored the constitutional significance of the occasion, noting that the assent represented the Legislature and the Executive each fulfilling their respective roles, the National Assembly deliberating and enacting on behalf of the people, and the President giving legal force to that collective will.

"What we witness today is our Constitution at work. This is a moment that belongs not to any single office, but to the nation, and to the institution that has, for a generation, faithfully archived and told our story back to us”, he said.

The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Act 2026 comes into effect from the date of the President's assent, with transitional provisions to be implemented in the coming months as the Corporation aligns its governance structures with the requirements of the new legislation.