President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has today ratified the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill (Act No. 16/2025), bringing the legislation into effect. The bill was passed by the People’s Majlis at its Sixth Special Session, convened on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, outside the ordinary sitting.
The primary objective of the Act is to foster the growth of a free and independent media landscape in the Maldives while safeguarding the continued exercise of press freedom. It further seeks to prevent the spread of false information, ensure the effective realisation of constitutional guarantees through fair and transparent mechanisms, and establish a framework that upholds both the rights and responsibilities of journalists and media professionals.
In addition, the Act introduces streamlined procedures for the registration of media outlets, thereby facilitating implementation and advancing press freedom in line with contemporary global standards. A dedicated regulatory authority will also be established under the Act to oversee both print and broadcast media.
With its enactment, the Maldives Media Council, previously constituted under the Newspapers and Magazines Act (Act No. 47/78) and the Maldives Media Council Act (Act No. 15/2008), shall be dissolved. Similarly, the Maldives Broadcasting Commission, created under the Broadcasting Act (Act No. 16/2010), will be reconstituted as the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.
Until the new Commission is formally established under the provisions of this Act, its powers and functions will be exercised by an interim committee of five members appointed by the Civil Service Commission.