Parliament Opens Applications for Media and Broadcasting Commission Positions

The Parliament of Maldives opened applications yesterday for the three positions it appoints to the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.

The seven-member commission will include three members appointed by parliament, while the other four members will represent the media; two representing broadcasters, and two representing other media. Only broadcasters may vote for the broadcasting representatives, while other media elect their representatives. Each member will serve a five-year term.

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Parliament stated that applications for the open positions can be submitted until 12:00 PM on 12 October. Applicants must provide a copy of their ID card, along with a declaration, debt record and criminal record in addition to the application form, CV, and copies of educational certificates.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Being a Maldivian citizen aged 30 or older.
  
• Holding a BA in media, management, or policy-making, or having at least five years of relevant experience.
  
• Not serving as editors, stakeholders in a media outlet, elected or appointed officials, or members of political parties. Applicants must also not have convictions for serious crimes, including hudud offences, drug-related crimes, sexual crimes against children, fraud, or bribery.
  
• Not owning stocks in any registered communication media or services.
  

The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) will organise the election for the four members to be voted in by media organisations. This election is scheduled for 11 October, and the application deadline is 4 October. A total of 335 media outlets and 17 broadcasters, including inactive media and government-owned news bulletins, are eligible to vote.

At present, the commission is overseen by an interim body of five civil servants appointed by the Civil Service Commission. The regulatory body was established under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on 18 September, which dissolved the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and incorporated the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) into the new framework.

Permanent members must be elected within 30 days of the interim committee’s formation. Each member will serve a five-year term and may hold office for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

In response to the passing of the heavily criticised media regulatory act, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) is forming its own oversight body, the Press Council Committee. The final structure of the committee is expected to be completed by 22 October.