MMBC extends newspaper and magazine re-registration deadline to January 28, 2027

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) has extended the re-registration deadline for newspapers and magazines by three months, giving publications until 23:59 on Wednesday, January 28, 2027. The commission had previously set the deadline for the end of today. Under the new timeline, publications that fail to re-register by the new date will have their registrations invalidated under the new regulations. The MMBC said the regulations require all newspapers and magazines currently operating in the Maldives to re-register within six months of the rules taking effect and bring their records up to date. Under the regulations, publications are divided into four categories: newspapers, magazines, news letters, and journals. These may operate through print, websites, social media, applications, and electronic media. The new rules allow businesses and cooperative societies operating in the Maldives to register newspapers and magazines. However, small magazines produced specifically for internal information or for employees are exempt. Registrations under the new regulations are valid for five years, and renewal applications must be submitted 90 days before the registration expires. Publications that cease publication for 12 months will have their registrations invalidated. Previously, newspapers were required to register with the ministry responsible for the matter at the time. With the enactment of the commission's law, the responsibility for registering newspapers and maintaining the register was transferred to the MMBC.