353 medias, some of them inactive, eligible to elect new commission

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that 353 media outlets are eligible to vote in the election of four of seven members of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) – a new commission created under a contentious new law that replaced a self-regulatory system.

The EC released the voter’s list for the October 11 election on Sunday morning.

The list names 353 media outlets; 335 online medias and 18 broadcasters.

The list includes the names of newspapers and magazines that have not been active for a long time.

The deadline for submission of complaints to the list is set to close at 03:00 pm on Monday, giving just a 27-hour window for complaints.

According to the EC, complaint forms are available from the commission’s website and office, and must be emailed to [email protected]

The new media law was passed by the Parliament on September 16, and ratified by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on September 18, despite appeals from both local and international organizations urging against enacting the new legislature over its potential implications for press freedom and free speech in the Maldives.

The seven-member MMBC is composed of three members appointed by the Parliament and four elected by registered medias. The legislative assembly is also empowered to appoint the commission’s chairperson. And all members, including those elected by medias, can be dismissed by the Parliament, in which the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) enjoys a supermajority.

The four seats up for the October 11 election are two seats for a representative for online medias and two for broadcasters.

Candidacy is open until 02:00 pm October 4.

While journalists protest against the new law as a direct threat to press freedom and a crackdown on dissent, President Muizzu’s administration touts it as important legislature that protects people from defamation, disinformation and misinformation, and paves the path for accountability in the media field.