VICTORIA, Seychelles — The National Assembly on Wednesday approved Amanda Bernstein as minister following a detailed questioning session that covered public access to information, the role of state media, the future of SBC, and her commitment to a free and pluralistic press. Mrs Bernstein was nominated by President Dr Patrick Herminie as part of the new Cabinet line-up, and her confirmation completes the full ministerial team of the administration.
Responding to questions from elected members, Mrs Bernstein emphasised the importance of two-way communication between the ministry and the public. She said it is vital to create dialogue and give the public the chance to provide feedback, and receive status updates, so they are informed about ongoing initiatives. She also outlined her plans to strengthen the visibility and responsiveness of the ministry she will lead, support local content production, and ensure citizens can engage with government decisions more directly.
Mrs Bernstein also addressed concerns raised by Hon. Wilbert Herminie regarding the state broadcaster SBC, the Lepep newspaper, and a third local media outlet, and whether compensation would be considered for the displacement of these media. She responded by acknowledging the scale of the work ahead and the importance of a free, independent, and well-resourced media sector in supporting democracy and national cohesion.
Following the conclusion of the questioning, the National Assembly voted to approve Mrs Bernstein’s nomination, paving the way for her to take office and lead the ministry in the new Herminie administration. The full Cabinet is now in place, with ministers having been confirmed in phases over recent days following a series of individual nomination hearings.
