The temporary committee required to be established under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act has been formed. According to the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, until the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission is established and members are appointed, a temporary committee of 5 members formed by the Civil Service Commission will temporarily manage the affairs of the commission. The Civil Service Commission must form this temporary committee within 3 days of the law coming into effect. Providing information to the media, the Civil Service Commission stated that the committee mandated by law has now been formed, and members were appointed last Sunday. The Commission also said that responsibilities were assigned to the appointed committee members, and Civil Service Commission members met with them for discussions.
Members included in the temporary committee:
• Director General Ali Zaki, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts
• Director General Ahmed Mausoom, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
• Director General Aminath Shahida, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
• Director General Aminath Naseer, Ministry of Islamic Affairs
• Chief Corporate Executive Imad Mohamed, National Archives of Maldives
The Media Commission consists of 3 members appointed by the People’s Majlis and 4 members elected by the media. Within 15 days of the law coming into effect, the People’s Majlis must announce the appointment of members. The law mandates that within 10 days of the announcement deadline, the People’s Majlis must decide on approving the respondents to the announcement. Once the Majlis makes a decision, the President will appoint the commission members and the chairperson.
Under the law, the 4 members to be elected will be elected by the Elections Commission as per the regulations. However, for the first election of members, the Elections Commission is mandated to hold an election within 30 days of the law coming into effect. Only registered broadcasters and media in the Maldives can vote in the election. Each broadcaster and media outlet gets 1 vote. With this law, in addition to the responsibilities of the former Media Council and Maldives Broadcasting Commission, some other responsibilities are also transferred. As such, records and archives related to newspapers and magazines registered with the relevant ministry will be transferred to this commission. New media and broadcasters will also need to register with this commission instead of the relevant ministry.
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act came into effect on the 18th of this month upon ratification by the President.
