In a move to ensure transparency and editorial independence, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed has assured that the government will play no role in the allocation of state funds to private media outlets.
During a press conference held at the President’s Office, Minister Ibrahim Waheed clarified that the process has been entirely delegated to the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC), the industry’s independent regulatory body.
According to the Minister, the MMBC has identified a list of 41 eligible media outlets and established the necessary procedures for fund distribution. Acknowledging previous criticisms, the Minister stated he accepted reports that the Ministry’s initial handling of the process was suboptimal, leading to the decision to transfer full responsibility to the commission.
“The government will have no role in it. We are sending it to the Ministry of Finance to implement the decision of the Media Commission,” he said.
He stated that his ministry now acts solely as an intermediary, forwarding the MMBC’s finalised list and payment instructions directly to the Ministry of Finance and Planning without any additions or alterations.
To ensure full public transparency, the Minister has also requested a detailed breakdown from the MMBC, specifying the amount each outlet is set to receive alongside the criteria used for allocation.
This financial assistance programme, a key campaign pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, aims to promote and support a vibrant private media sector. A total of USD 1.8 million, equivalent to 0.1 percent of the state budget, has been earmarked for this initiative this year.