Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed, has stated that media outlets do not trust the two institutions overseeing media affairs in the Maldives, namely the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission. The Minister made these remarks while speaking on the PSM Raajje Today program about the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill passed by the People’s Majlis. One of the main changes brought by this bill is the merger of the two independent institutions currently overseeing Maldivian media, the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission, to create an independent commission to oversee media affairs. According to the bill, the commission members will be appointed with 4 members from media outlets and 3 members from public applications. When the bill was first submitted to the Majlis, the President had a role in appointing commission members, but that part has been removed at the government’s request.
Minister Ibrahim said that the two current institutions have lost the trust of journalists. However, he noted that Maldivian journalists point out that these two bodies cannot find solutions to the issues faced by media outlets. Therefore, the Minister has called for an evaluation of the work of the commission to be established by merging these two bodies under the newly passed Media Regulation Bill. “Even now, ask the head of a TV channel if they trust the Broadcasting Commission. They will say they don’t trust it. Broadcasters don’t trust the Broadcasting Commission. Ask online media if they trust the Media Council. They will say there’s no proper system there, issues aren’t addressed. It’s a constant complaint. So, media outlets agree that these two institutions have failed. Since they agree, I’m saying let’s test this,” said Minister Ibrahim Waheed.
The Minister highlighted that the bill passed by the Majlis now is one that has addressed journalists’ concerns and incorporated significant amendments. He noted that opposition parties are still raising points from the earlier version of the bill, but assured that the revised and passed bill addresses all the concerns they raise. The Minister urged people to seek information from the bill as passed by the Majlis now. While the Media Bill clearly states that media can only be operated in the Maldives after registration, the Minister clarified that the bill does not apply to social media, content creators, or social media activists beyond media outlets. He reiterated that only media outlets registered and operating in the Maldives would need to comply with the bill’s provisions. The Minister also noted that besides regulating media, the bill also encourages the development of Maldivian media and journalism.
“The bill now clearly outlines ways for them to generate income. Additionally, the state budget will allocate funds for the Media Commission. Their job is to accredit journalists. If they’re doing this, they need to work on providing training opportunities and solving issues faced by media outlets,” said Minister Ibrahim Waheed. The bill passed by the People’s Majlis on Tuesday incorporated many amendments proposed by the government. The Minister has assured that there is nothing in the current bill that should concern journalists.
Furthermore, the Counsel General of the People’s Majlis has advised that there is nothing in the Media Bill that contradicts the Constitution.
