27.9M media fund tied to staff qualifications, gender

Starting this year, 0.1 percent of the state budget's projected revenue will be allocated annually to the media, and the distribution of these funds will consider the educational qualifications of employees and the number of female employees within media organizations.

According to financial assistance rules gazetted on Tuesday, private media outlets registered in the Maldives will receive 0.1 percent of the estimated budget revenue, excluding revenue from grants and new proposed revenue increases for the year.

This rule was formulated as part of President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu's pledge to allocate a percentage of the state budget to promote media and journalism.

Under this decision, broadcast media, print media, and online media will receive separate allocations. Registered private broadcast media will receive 35 percent of the quota, while private print or online media will receive 65 percent.

The government has announced a payment of MVR 27.9 million to the media this year, to be disbursed in a single installment.

The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts will manage applications for this funding annually. To qualify, media outlets must meet several conditions when the application period opens:

• Be a registered entity or be licensed to provide services.

• Have at least 3 years of continuous operatioan after obtaining registration or a license.

• Fulfill obligations under tax laws and pay taxes.

• Participate in and contribute to a retirement pension scheme.

• Prepare employment agreements and job descriptions in accordance with the Employment Act and deposit employee salaries monthly into their bank accounts.

Media outlets will submit application documents to a relevant portal, which will display their points. Points will be awarded based on:

• Performance proposal for the past financial year, as per the Newspapers and Magazines Act.

• Registered operating period or licensed operating period under the Broadcasting Act.

• Current operations of the channel or newspaper.

• Plans to promote the channel or newspaper.

• Education and experience of media personnel.

• Any public action taken against the media, which may result in a three-point deduction for each action.

The regulation also awards additional points for the length of time the media has been registered. Financial aid will be granted if a media outlet scores more than 60 points, with the aid amount determined by a formula.

Journalists' associations and the opposition have swiftly criticized the bill, labeling it an infringement on press freedom. Despite being introduced by an independent member, the government, which holds a supermajority in parliament, has expressed its support for the legislation.