Applications open for media assistance as journalists protest bill

The government has opened applications for financial assistance to registered private media outlets, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts announced on Wednesday. The application window will remain open from Thursday until 27 September.

The announcement coincided with protests staged by journalists outside Parliament against the proposed media control bill.

According to the ministry, a special portal has been set up for applications. The scheme will provide financial assistance from the state budget, with 0.1% of estimated annual revenue (excluding grants and proposed new revenue sources) allocated to private media.

Funds will be distributed as follows:

Media outlets must:

Payments will be made directly to bank accounts registered in the name of the media outlet. Funds will be disbursed in up to three instalments, with 50% issued initially and the remainder split into two equal parts.

The ministry also confirmed that a points-based system would be used to evaluate applications, with results made publicly available through the portal. Media groups with multiple outlets may apply for one outlet in each category (broadcast and print/online).

This year’s state budget is estimated to generate MVR 39.8 billion in total revenue.

The decision comes as Parliament considers the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill, which would establish a new commission with government-appointed members to regulate the press. Journalists’ associations, including the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), have voiced strong opposition to the bill.