Pres Solih pledges state budget allocation to media
MDP's good governance policies include various programmes to free and empower the media.
By
Aminath Shifleen
Ruling MDP has included in manifesto for the September 9 presidential election a provision to allocate funding from the state budget in a bid to ensure the financial independence of the media.
The MDP candidate for the upcoming presidential election, President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih's 'Ufaaveri Amaan Raajje’ manifesto’s Good Governance policy was released on Tuesday evening.
The pledges, announced at a campaign rally in B. Dharavandhoo, include efforts to free and empower the media, in the section on strengthening governance and accountability.
According to the state budget funding policy to eliminate reliance on state-owned enterprises and other advertisers:
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Funds will be allocated to media outlets that meet certain requirements set by the law
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To ensure that funds are disbursed through a system that is equitable and free from influence, a rating system that is in line with international standards and norms will be established
The manifesto includes eight more provisions that the MDP government will do for media freedom:
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The Media Council shall establish strong arrangements to ensure that the information provided by the media is accurate and truthful
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Resolve issues in the media register in collaboration with the media agency to resolve issues in self-governance and registration of the media
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Provide legal protection and assistance to content creators in local streaming services, podcasting and other online media platforms
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Training and education opportunities to promote community-based journalism, freelance journalism and digital content creation
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Digital content creation and streaming services and financial support for podcasting, publishers, film and documentary producers and novelists through SDFC
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Make news and information broadcast by the state media accessible to people with disabilities
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Training of new journalists
