President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has established the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) under the newly ratified Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act (Act No. 16/2025).
The bill, ratified on Thursday, abolishes the existing Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council, transferring their staff and resources to the new commission.
As outlined in Article 4 of the Act, the MMBC will be composed of seven members — four elected from among journalists and three approved by Parliament.
The move comes despite opposition from the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), both of which urged lawmakers not to pass the bill with the latest amendments.
With the establishment of the MMBC, the government says it aims to consolidate media regulation under a single authority, though critics argue the law could restrict press freedom in the Maldives.
The bill, ratified on Thursday, abolishes the existing Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council, transferring their staff and resources to the new commission.
As outlined in Article 4 of the Act, the MMBC will be composed of seven members — four elected from among journalists and three approved by Parliament.
The move comes despite opposition from the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), both of which urged lawmakers not to pass the bill with the latest amendments.
With the establishment of the MMBC, the government says it aims to consolidate media regulation under a single authority, though critics argue the law could restrict press freedom in the Maldives.
