SS Media develops AI tool to screen for Media Act compliance

Sun Siyam [SS] Media has introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool as a precautionary measure to screen news articles to ensure compliance with the controversial Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, which recently received ratification amidst widespread concern from journalists and other stakeholders.

The AI tool was developed by SS Media’s Chief Technology Officer Ahmed Hassan (Ammadey), who has completed higher education in the field of Information Technology from Malaysia and Australia.

The tool can be applied to screen news articles written in both Dhivehi and English.

In this regard, users can copy and paste the content they wish to review into the tool, which will then highlight any sections that may conflict with the law. Additionally, the tool will provide suggestions on how the content can be amended to ensure compliance with the law.

The tool is currently in use exclusively within SS Media. However, the company stated that once it has been further refined, it will be made available to the public.

Commenting on the launch of the AI tool, SS Media’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mohamed Asif (Mondhu), stated that the tool was developed as an initiative by SS Media to serve as a precautionary measure in complying with a law that currently lacks regulations and policies.

He described the tool as an important resource that will aid writers and content creators in ensuring their content complies with the law.

“This [the tool] will see further development once regulations and policies enacted under the law are fed to it. We have conducted many tests by feeding it. They have been very successful,” he added.

SS Media stated that once the development of the tool is complete, it will be made available to other media outlets, journalists, and writers in line with established policies.

SS Media reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the latest news to the public in accordance with the law, while upholding principles of truth, transparency, and impartiality.

SS Media’s products include Sun Online, Maldives longest-running online news, and SSTV, which caters a wide range of programs to its viewers. The Media also recently launched ‘Sun Play’ application, a video-on-demand application.