Sangu TV & Online, Linked to Minister Asward, Receives Largest Media Grant of MVR 5.1 million

Sangu TV, a media outlet linked to the current Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed (Asward), has received the largest portion of government funding allocated under the newly introduced Media Grant Policy. 

The broadcaster was awarded MVR 3.81 million, topping the list of private media outlets receiving state support. Furthermore, Sangu Media‘s online wing, Sangu Online, also qualified for funding, bringing the total allocation for the two linked entities to over MVR 5.1 million.

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According to the business portal, Sangu is owned by the COCONA INTERNATIONAL Pvt Ltd and its shareholders include Leena Hussain, the wife of Minister Asward. The other two shareholders are Hussain Waheed and Shahuma Abdhulla.

The Press, linked by the State Minister to the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ali Shamaan also secured significant grants, receiving MVR 1.35 million.

The group operating SSTV and its online sister media Sun Online, Sun Siyam Media group, received a combined total of MVR 4,306,483.07. This is composed of SSTV’s MVR 2,972,194.55 and Sun Online‘s MVR 1,334,288.52

The remainder of the distribution shows a tightly packed field, with the other 12 media entities receiving between MVR 2.47 Million and MVR 899.20 Thousand. The Edition and Mihaaru were awarded a combined MVR 2.47 Million. Other major beneficiaries included One Online (MVR 1.38 Million), Voice MV (MVR 1.36 Million).

Allocations for the remaining outlets—including Dhauru (MVR 1.31 Million), Thiladhun (MVR 1.22 Million), Theeru Media (MVR 1.1 Miliion) and Adhadhu Online (MVR 1.17 Million)—each surpassed MVR 1 Million, down to the final recipient, Maldeef Online, which received MVR 899.20 Thousand.

Background: 

The policy, gazetted in August this year, marks the first formal programme in the Maldives to provide financial assistance to registered private media. It was introduced as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to allocate a portion of the state budget to support media and journalism. 

Beginning this year, 0.1 per cent of the annually approved state budget is earmarked for such assistance.