A new bill proposes combining the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) into a single entity, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, with expanded regulatory authority. The legislation, submitted by MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, aims to streamline media oversight by consolidating both bodies’ responsibilities, including media monitoring, licensing, and journalism regulation.
If passed, the new commission would consist of seven members: four appointed by the President with parliamentary approval and three elected by registered media members. Members would serve a five-year term with salaries determined by a pay commission, and an interim committee will be established to manage responsibilities until full implementation.
The commission would also draft a code of conduct for journalists and media outlets, with enforcement authority that includes issuing fines, suspending licenses, and demanding public apologies. Penalties for violations range from MVR 5,000 to MVR 50,000 for media outlets and MVR 5,000 to MVR 10,000 for individual journalists in repeated breaches.
