Four members elected to media commission without vote

Four eligible members were elected unopposed on Tuesday to the newly established Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC), formed under the nation's new media legislation.

The new law mandates a seven-member commission, with four members to be elected by the media industry.

The Election Commission (EC) confirmed that five candidates qualified for the positions by the deadline. However, with one candidate subsequently withdrawing their nomination, the number of qualified candidates matched the four required elected positions, negating the need for a vote, the EC stated.

The Election Commission announced the elected members as follows:

• Zamath Ahmed Waheed, a former member of the dissolved Broadcasting Commission.

• Simaha Naseem, a journalist for Vaguthu news.

• Hussain Sageef, the former President of the dissolved Maldives Media Council.

• Abdul Azeez Ibrahim, Moonimage/Sh. Feydhoo.

Abdul Azeez and Zamath were elected as representatives for broadcasters, while Simaha and Sageef were elected to represent other media professionals.

The remaining three commission members are slated to be appointed by the Parliament.

It is noteworthy that the media bill, ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, which established the MMBC, has met with significant criticism from the media sector.

Numerous journalists have voiced concerns regarding the new law, arguing that it could restrict media freedom and freedom of expression. The bill faced a series of protests by journalists during its passage through parliament, but it was ultimately enacted.