For the first time in the Maldives, the government has introduced a formal policy to provide financial assistance to registered private media outlets.
The Media Grant Policy, published in the Government Gazette today, was developed under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to allocate a share of the State budget to support media and journalism.
During the transition period following his election victory, President Muizzu convened a consultative meeting, titled Media Gunzaru, with media organizations across the country. At the meeting, he invited input on the challenges faced by the sector and pledged that his administration would develop sustainable solutions. That same evening, he announced plans to introduce a transparent and accountable policy to earmark a percentage of the state budget for private media.
The gazetted policy sets out the principles and criteria for allocating such assistance. Starting this year, 0.1 per cent of the annually approved State budget revenue will be set aside for registered private media outlets, excluding grants, projected revenue from new initiatives, and funds designated for other purposes.
With this policy, private media outlets will, for the first time, be able to apply for government-funded financial assistance through a transparent and accountable process, marking a historic step in supporting independent journalism in the Maldives.
The Media Grant Policy, published in the Government Gazette today, was developed under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to allocate a share of the State budget to support media and journalism.
During the transition period following his election victory, President Muizzu convened a consultative meeting, titled Media Gunzaru, with media organizations across the country. At the meeting, he invited input on the challenges faced by the sector and pledged that his administration would develop sustainable solutions. That same evening, he announced plans to introduce a transparent and accountable policy to earmark a percentage of the state budget for private media.
The gazetted policy sets out the principles and criteria for allocating such assistance. Starting this year, 0.1 per cent of the annually approved State budget revenue will be set aside for registered private media outlets, excluding grants, projected revenue from new initiatives, and funds designated for other purposes.
With this policy, private media outlets will, for the first time, be able to apply for government-funded financial assistance through a transparent and accountable process, marking a historic step in supporting independent journalism in the Maldives.
