The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has established a six-month deadline for all operating news outlets and magazines to update registration records, marking a transition under a new regulatory framework. Following the enactment of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, the commission has assumed plenary authority over a media registry that had historically shifted between various government ministries.
To operationalise this authority, the commission has published guidelines categorising media into four classifications: newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and journals. These rules extend to digital distribution, encompassing websites, social media, applications, and electronic media. While the statute permits businesses and cooperatives to register news publications, it explicitly exempts internal materials produced solely for specific locales or private staff.
The regulatory body mandates that new applications receive an official response within 30 days. Outlets must appoint an official editor and a designated responsible party, both of whom must meet specific statutory qualifications. Registrations remain valid for five years, though the commission will automatically revoke credentials for any publication ceasing operations for 12 consecutive months.
A significant provision now permits outlets to charge access fees, though this remains strictly contingent upon prior regulatory authorisation. All existing organisations must submit updated records via designated forms within six months of the regulation’s publication in the Government Gazette. Failure to comply will result in the immediate cancellation of registration, and outlets must further submit annual operational reports to avoid institutional fines, the framework stipulates.