Media Commission publishes its own governing regulation with 48-hour case deadlines

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has issued its own governing rulebook, Regulation No. 2026/R-87, published in the Government Gazette No. 155, Volume 55, of 28 September 2026. The 28-article regulation, made under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Act (Law No. 16/2025) and the Broadcasting Act (Law No. 16/2010), sets the duties of the commission’s president, vice-president and members, a 48-hour deadline for deciding urgent cases and fines for non-compliance. It binds the commission, its staff and all registered media outlets and broadcasters, and takes effect from the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.

The text is titled “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission’s Regulation” and runs to 12 pages. Its stated objective is to establish the administrative and procedural framework the commission needs to exercise the legal duties and powers conferred on it by Law No. 16/2025 and Law No. 16/2010. Article 3 sets the guiding principles: respect for Islam, human rights, national security and vulnerable groups, the strengthening of press freedom and journalists’ independence, protection of journalists and media workers, and the maintenance of public trust in the commission.

Duties, conduct and conflicts of interest

• Article 4 lists the president’s duties, citing sections 23, 34 and 6 of Law No. 16/2025: directing all commission work, presiding over meetings, appointing committees, overseeing the administration and disclosing conflicts of interest among members.
• Article 5 covers the vice-president, who acts when the president cannot discharge his responsibilities and assists him in his work.
• Article 6 sets members’ duties: attending meetings, setting policies and guidelines, considering complaints and safeguarding confidential information.
• Article 7 lays down a code of conduct barring discrimination on grounds including gender, age, physical or mental disability, political opinion, colour, origin, wealth, social status, family and place of birth.
• Article 8 requires members to disclose any personal, financial or other interest in a matter before the commission; Article 9 governs their official work.

Decisions, deadlines, fines and accountability

Article 10 states that the commission decides cases by majority of its full membership. Where three members or a state institution ask for a case to be decided, the commission must reach a decision within 48 hours of the request.

Article 24 provides that every decision is made under section 69 of Law No. 16/2025, and that members and staff must respect and implement decisions of the commission and its committees. Where a fine is imposed, the decision must state the period allowed for payment and the further measures that follow if it is not paid. Article 25 imposes confidentiality on matters the commission decides to keep secret.

• Article 11 makes the commission answerable to the People’s Majlis: members must attend its committees when required and answer questions truthfully.
• Article 12 makes the Secretary General the administrative head, appointed by the Civil Service Commission and required to stay out of politics; Article 13 lists his duties.
• Article 14 places the commission’s staff under the Civil Service Act (Law No. 5/2007).
• Article 15 requires an annual report to the President and the People’s Majlis before 10 February each year, covering work done, licences issued, registered publications, complaints and decided cases, cases in court and a copy of the auditor’s report.

Information duties toward the media

Article 17 says the commission’s information is disclosed by its president or a member designated by him. Article 18 lists what must be published: newly licensed broadcasters and re-broadcasters, newly registered newspapers, appointed members, decisions on complaints against members, trips, statistics and information required under the Right to Information Act (Law No. 1/2014).

Article 19 sets the channels — People’s Media platforms, the commission’s website, news releases sent to media, talk shows and press conferences. Articles 20 to 22 require the commission to designate a person to give news and information to the media, to hold press conferences under the president’s guidance through the Secretary General, and to publish on People’s Media through its official accounts and public relations section. Article 23 designates an Information Officer under Law No. 1/2014.

What it means

The regulation turns the commission’s internal practice into binding published rules, giving media outlets and broadcasters a fixed timetable and a written procedure for complaints, decisions and fines. Articles 26 to 28 leave gaps to be resolved by majority of members present, make the Dhivehi text authoritative and bring the regulation into force from the day it appeared in the Government Gazette.

Source: Gazette of the Government of Maldives, No. 155, Vol. 55, 28 September 2026, Section I (official reference: Regulation No. 2026/R-87).