The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has appointed a five-member interim committee to oversee the nation’s media and broadcasting affairs, acting under provisions of the newly ratified Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act. The appointments, formalised on 21 September, follow the law’s entry into force on 18 September, following presidential assent.
Under the legislation, the CSC was required to establish a transitional body within three days of enactment. The committee will assume the responsibilities of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission until a permanent entity is constituted. Officials have already convened with the appointees to initiate consultations and formally transfer duties.
The committee comprises senior officials drawn from across government ministries and national institutions. Its members include Ali Zaki, Director General at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts; Ahmed Maumoon, Director General at the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works; Aminath Shahida, Director General at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade; Aminath Naseer, Director General at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs; and Imad Mohamed, Chief Corporate Executive at the National Archives of Maldives.
This interim arrangement is designed to facilitate the transition to a permanent commission, which will be composed differently. The final body will consist of seven members, three appointed by the parliament and four elected directly by registered media organisations.
The legislation sets forth a precise procedural timeline for the formation of the permanent commission. Within 15 days of the law’s enactment, the parliament is required to open applications for its three appointees. A further 10-day period is allocated for parliamentary approval of the selected candidates, who will then be formally appointed by the president.
Responsibility for the electoral component rests with the Elections Commission of Maldives. The inaugural vote for the four media-elected representatives must be held within 30 days of the law’s commencement. All registered broadcasters and media outlets are eligible to participate, with each organisation entitled to a single vote.
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act constitutes a comprehensive restructuring of the country’s media oversight framework. It consolidates the functions of the former Maldives Media Council and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission into a single regulatory authority.
In addition to its supervisory mandate, the new commission will assume responsibilities previously held by government ministries, including the registration of media outlets and broadcasters. All existing documentation and archives related to newspapers and magazines, formerly maintained by the relevant ministry, will be transferred to the commission’s jurisdiction.