Dormant Control Commission issues guideline for broadcasting political content related to elections, opens floor for complaints
The Media Council has instructed outlets to provide equitable coverage to all candidates during the election period and to refrain from harassment based on gender or disability. The guidelines further emphasize the importance of verifying information, protecting editorial independence from political influence, and ensuring the safety of journalists, while requiring that any content violating these regulations be reported to the commission within 24 hours.
Members of the Media Council established by the government to regulate newspapers, magazines, and broadcasters. | Media Council | Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has released a set of guidelines outlining the standards and procedures for covering political news and broadcasting political content during election periods.
These guidelines have been established pursuant to Section 30 of the General Elections Act and the Media and Broadcasting Regulation to ensure equitable information dissemination and to protect public dignity during election periods. Under these regulations, political content broadcast by TV channels, as well as material published on their respective digital platforms, must adhere to prescribed standards.
According to the guidelines, all broadcasters must provide equal "direct access" or airtime to candidates from the date the Elections Commission officially announces the final list of contestants until 6:00 PM on the day prior to the election. If airtime is offered for sale, it must be publicly announced, and broadcasters are required to maintain detailed logs of airtime allocated to specific candidates or parties for a minimum of 60 days. Furthermore, the guidelines mandate that broadcasters submit summary reports containing this information to the Media Council throughout the campaign period.
The guidelines emphasize the importance of avoiding gender discrimination. Specifically, they mandate equal opportunities for both men and women, while prohibiting harassment and discrimination based on gender. Furthermore, the guidelines encourage the inclusion of women as experts in political programs and debates, while strictly forbidding the publication of personal information regarding candidates' marital status or family life. Additionally, instructions have been issued to avoid stereotypes that could undermine the dignity of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
The guidelines mandate that broadcasters utilize reliable sources and verify the accuracy of information when disseminating news and data. Broadcasters are instructed to operate independently and impartially, ensuring that editorial decisions remain free from the influence of government agencies and political parties. Furthermore, the dissemination of misinformation and the use of intimidation via social media are strictly prohibited. In instances where a high-ranking state official is contesting an election, broadcasters must ensure that opposing candidates are afforded an equal opportunity to respond to events held by that official.
The guidelines impose additional responsibilities on public service broadcasters. These include conducting voter education programs and ensuring the responsible dissemination of essential election-related information. Furthermore, public service broadcasters are required to provide the live feed of candidate debates to all other broadcasters free of charge. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of accessibility, encouraging the use of subtitles or other methods to ensure that information is easily accessible to persons with disabilities.
The guidelines also emphasize the safety and security of journalists and media personnel. Security forces are urged to investigate harassment and attacks against journalists and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice. Furthermore, relevant authorities are instructed to facilitate access to information for journalists during the election period. While media outlets are directed to refrain from broadcasting content that violates these guidelines, any decision to withhold specific content must be reported to the Media Commission within 24 hours.
The Commission has announced that complaints may now be filed under these guidelines. However, it specified that such complaints must pertain exclusively to content broadcast between the date the guidelines were published and the conclusion of the election. Submissions must be made using the official "Form for Filing Complaints under the Guidelines on Broadcasting Political Content During Election Periods," ensuring all required information is complete. The Commission will accept complaints from the date of the guidelines' publication until 2:00 p.m. on April 9, 2026. To be eligible for review, complaints must concern content broadcast from the date the guidelines were issued until 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to the election.
