Gov’t Introduces Policy to Provide Financial Assistance to Private Media
Photo: The President’s Office
The government has introduced a formal policy to provide financial assistance to registered private media outlets in the Maldives, marking the first time such support has been made available.
The Media Grant Policy, published in the Government Gazette, was developed as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to allocate a share of the State budget towards strengthening media and journalism. The policy sets out the principles and criteria for distributing funds to private media through a transparent and accountable process.
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Following his election victory, President Muizzu held a consultative meeting with media organisations under the initiative Media Gunzaru during the transition period. At the meeting, media representatives highlighted the challenges faced by the sector, after which the President pledged to introduce a mechanism that would provide sustainable support through State funding.
Under the new policy, 0.1 per cent of the annually approved State budget revenue will be earmarked for financial assistance to private media outlets. The allocation will not include grants, projected revenue from new initiatives, or funds set aside for other designated purposes.
With this development, private media outlets in the Maldives are, for the first time, able to apply for State-funded support under a defined policy framework.
Alongside this financial pledge, a bill titled the “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act” has been introduced in parliament by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, who is reported to have close ties to the government.
The bill seeks to establish a media regulatory commission, with three of its seven members, including the chairperson, to be appointed by the President. The proposed body would hold broad authority to enforce its directives, including the power to impose heavy fines, block websites, and revoke media registrations.
Journalists’ associations and the opposition have strongly criticised the proposal, describing it as a threat to press freedom. Although tabled by an independent member, the legislation has received backing from the government, which holds a parliamentary supermajority.
