Private Media Outlets Invited to Apply for State Financial Support

The government has opened applications for financial assistance to registered private media outlets, with the application period running from Thursday until 27 September.

The announcement came amid protests by journalists outside Parliament against the proposed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill. The bill would establish a new commission with government-appointed members to regulate the press, a move opposed by journalists’ associations, including the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) .

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The ministry said a special portal has been established for applications. The scheme will provide financial support from the state budget, allocating 0.1% of estimated annual revenue—excluding grants and proposed new revenue sources—to private media. Funds will be distributed with 35% allocated to broadcast media and 65% to print and online media.

Payments will be made directly to bank accounts registered in the name of the media outlet and disbursed in up to three instalments, with 50% issued initially and the remaining 50% split into two equal parts. A points-based system will be used to evaluate applications, with results published on the portal. Media groups with multiple outlets may apply for one outlet in each category.

Conditions for eligibility include:

• Be registered under the Newspapers and Magazines Act or licensed under the Broadcasting Act.
• Have operated continuously for at least three years.
• Publish a code of ethics and editorial standards.
• Provide avenues for public engagement.
• Pay taxes regularly.
• Participate in the retirement pension scheme.
• Comply with the Employment Act regarding contracts and salary deposits.
• Be servicing any proven debts in accordance with court judgments.

This year’s state budget is estimated to generate MVR 39.8 billion in total revenue.

Hulhumalé City Hotel, along with a dedicated Media Village, is set to be redeveloped into a luxury five-star hotel named Manhattan Grand.