Interim committee formed under contentious new media law

Civil Service Commission (CSC) has formed the interim committee mandated by the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, which was ratified on Thursday despite protests from journalists.

CSC, on Sunday, announced that the interim committee — required under the Act to function until the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission is officially formed and its members appointed — has been formed. 

The five-member interim committee comprises of:

• Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts’ Director General Ali Zaki
• Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works’ Director General Ahmed Mausoom
• Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s Director General Aminath Shaahidha
• Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ Director General Aminath Naseer
• Maldives National Library’s Chief Corporate Executive Imad Mohamed

Scope of work of the interim committee:

• Administrative works of the Commission
• Accepting complaints filed with the Commission
• Making decisions on requests to register as media outlets

Works which the interim committee cannot undertake

• Investigating complaints submitted to the Commission, continuing investigations left incomplete by the former Maldives Broadcasting Commission and Maldives Media Council, concluding these cases, and taking action with respect to these cases.  
• Revoking the permits of media outlets

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu established the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act on Thursday. MMBC will comprise of seven members – three appointed by the Parliament and four elected by registered medias. The legislative assembly is also empowered to appoint the commission’s chairperson, and all members, including those elected by medias, can be dismissed by the Parliament, in which the ruling PNC enjoys a supermajority.

Members have yet to be appointed to the Commission formed on Thursday. 

While journalist protest against the Act as a direct threat to press freedom and a crackdown on dissent, PNC administration touts it as important legislature that protects people from defamation, disinformation and misinformation, and paves the path for accountability in the media field.