Maldivian Media Outlets Given Six Months to Register Under New Regulatory Law

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has issued a six-month deadline for all active news outlets and magazines to update their registration records. This transition follows the enactment of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, which grants the commission full authority over the national media registry—a responsibility that previously shifted between various government ministries. To implement the new framework, the commission has introduced guidelines that categorize media into four distinct classifications: newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and journals. These regulations apply across all distribution channels, including traditional print, websites, social media platforms, and mobile applications. While the law allows businesses and cooperatives to register publications, materials produced exclusively for private staff or specific internal locales are exempt. The new regulatory system mandates that the commission provide an official response to all new applications within 30 days. To maintain valid registration, outlets must appoint a designated responsible party and an official editor, both of whom must meet strict statutory qualifications. Registration credentials will remain valid for five years; however, the commission will automatically revoke registration for any publication that ceases operations for 12 consecutive months. One notable change under the new law is the provision allowing media outlets to charge access fees, provided they obtain prior authorization from the regulatory body. All existing media organizations must submit their updated records using the designated forms within six months of the regulation's publication in the Government Gazette. The commission warned that failure to comply will result in the immediate cancellation of registration. Additionally, outlets are now required to submit annual operational reports to avoid institutional fines, ensuring a higher level of transparency and accountability across the sector.