New regulations for registering newspapers and magazines formulated, mandating that every publication must have an editor registered with Commission
According to the regulations, newspaper and magazine registrations must be renewed every five years, with renewal applications required to be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration date.
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The new regulations for the registration of newspapers and magazines have been finalized, mandating that every publication must have an editor officially registered with the Media Commission.
The Media Commission finalized and released the mandatory regulations under the Media Commission Act on Tuesday. The three regulations, which have now been published in the Government Gazette and brought into effect, include the Regulation on the Registration of Newspapers and Magazines, the Regulation on Investigating and Taking Action on Complaints Submitted to the Media Commission, and the Regulation on the Accreditation of Journalists Covering Public Gatherings.
According to the newly established regulations for the registration of newspapers and magazines by the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, all future applications for registration must be submitted using the specific form provided in Schedule 1 of the regulation. These regulations were formulated under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act.
According to the regulation, registrations for newspapers and magazines must be renewed every five years, with applications for renewal required to be submitted at least 90 days prior to expiry. The primary objective of this regulation is to establish transparent procedures for the registration and publication of newspapers, magazines, and similar periodicals. Under these rules, services are categorized into four types: newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and journals. The new regulation further specifies that these services may be delivered through various mediums, including print, websites, social media, mobile applications, and other electronic platforms.
Furthermore, the regulations state that, unless otherwise specified by law, any newspaper or magazine published through any medium in the Maldives must be registered with the Commission. However, publications issued by political parties, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies that are intended solely for their own employees or members shall be exempt from this registration requirement.
The Commission stated that all registered entities must update their records within six months of the regulation's publication. Furthermore, it is now mandatory for every news publication to submit an annual report for the preceding year to the Commission by June 30th of each year.
