The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has announced that publications that fail to re-register by 27 October will have their registrations revoked under the new regulations.
Previously, newspapers and magazines operating in the Maldives were required to register with the relevant government ministry. However, following the establishment of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission under its governing law, responsibility for registering publications and maintaining their records was transferred to the Commission.
To carry out this responsibility, the Commission has published regulations governing the registration and operation of newspapers and magazines in the Maldives, covering the procedures for registration and the provision of publication services.
Under the regulations, publications are classified into four categories: newspapers, magazines, newsletters and journals. These may be operated through various platforms, including print, websites, social media, applications and other electronic media.
The regulations require all currently registered publications operating in the Maldives to register again. Existing publications must complete re-registration and update their records within six months of the regulations coming into effect.
According to the Commission’s latest figures, the re-registration deadline is nine days away, and 140 applications have been submitted so far. Of these, 66 applications are for renewing existing registrations, while 67 are for new registrations. The Maldives Broadcasting Commission has approved 34 applications, while 18 have been rejected for various reasons.
The Media Commission’s re-registration period closes on 27 October. The Commission has urged all relevant parties to complete the process before the deadline, warning that registrations of publications that fail to re-register will be revoked.
Under the regulations, registered businesses and cooperative societies operating in the Maldives are also eligible to register publications. Exemptions apply to certain publications and written materials, including small publications produced to provide information about a particular organisation or specifically for its employees.
A publication’s registration will be valid for five years. Applications to renew registrations must be submitted 90 days before the existing registration expires.
The regulations also stipulate that a publication’s registration will be revoked if it ceases publication for 12 months.