The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) has highlighted the crucial role annual reports of media outlets and publications play in the development of media in the Maldives.
MMBC has enacted a comprehensive new framework for the registration of newspapers and magazines, central to which is a mandatory annual report on their operations. Media outlets that fail to submit the detailed report will face financial penalties, the commission has stated.
Speaking on the ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme on PSM News, Ibrahim Ashraf, Director of Broadcast Regulation at the MMBC, explained that the annual reports will require publications to provide data on the number of articles published across various fields. He projected that this collected data will, within two years, provide a clear and definitive picture of the scope and focus of the Maldivian media sector.
"The annual report will show the work done by the newspaper. It will not only look at the report. It will also look at the articles it publishes," Ashraf said.
He further highlighted the report's role in identifying training needs for journalists and its importance for the overall development of the journalism field.
A significant aspect of the new policy is its relevance to funding. Ashraf noted that these reports will serve as crucial information for potential donors. By accurately identifying the situation and operational scale of a publication—including smaller outlets—the annual reports will be instrumental, particularly when foreign entities are considering providing financial assistance.
The new rules also formalise the classification of print media into four distinct categories— newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and journals, each with defined platforms for implementation. Key provisions mandate that registration applications must be processed within 30 days and require all publications to have a designated editor and a responsible person. Registrations are valid for a period of five years and must be renewed 90 days prior to their expiry. Additionally, a publication's registration will be automatically canceled if it ceases publication for 12 consecutive months.
In a move to regulate commerce, the framework also stipulates that any newspaper or magazine wishing to charge a fee from readers must first submit their proposed fee structure to the MMBC for approval. The MMBC has granted a six-month grace period for all previously registered publications to comply with the new regulations.