Media commission chief Farusath resigns, citing challenges to impartiality

Mohamed Farusath has resigned as President of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, citing unresolved challenges to ensuring that the commission operates independently and treats all media outlets fairly.

Farusath submitted his resignation to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday, one year after being appointed to lead the commission on 27 October 2025.

In his resignation letter, Farusath said he had decided to step down because of difficulties in carrying out the commission's responsibilities while ensuring fairness and equal treatment for all media organisations.

He said his expectation was for the media to operate in an environment where they could exercise intellectual, financial and editorial independence while fulfilling their responsibility to protect the rights of the public.

Farusath also highlighted the legal obligations of the commission and its members to uphold standards and ethical principles in the Maldivian media industry.

He said carrying out those responsibilities fairly and impartially was essential to maintaining the commission's credibility and fulfilling its objectives.

His resignation comes a year after the establishment of the commission under legislation governing media and broadcasting in the Maldives.

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission consists of seven members, including three appointed by Parliament and four elected to represent media organisations.

Farusath was appointed as a parliamentary representative. Under the commission's appointment arrangements, Parliament also selects the commission's president from among its members.

Following his resignation, six members remain on the commission:

The commission has also faced questions over the process for appointing media representatives.

When Parliament opened applications for the removal of media representatives from the commission, no media organisation submitted a recommendation.

Only the required number of candidates had contested the positions when the media representatives were initially selected.

Farusath's resignation leaves the commission without a president until a replacement is appointed.