Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission
Mass media regulator of the Maldives
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Dhivehi: މޯލްޑިވްސް މީޑިއާ އެންޑް ބްރޯޑްކާސްޓިންގ ކޮމިޝަން; MMBC) is an independent regulatory body in the Maldives with the stated objective of maintaining press freedom and to establish a system to increase and oversee the responsibility of those working in media and journalists, including broadcast media.[1] The commission was created by President Mohamed Muizzu on 18 September 2025 under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act.[2][3]
- Maldives Media Council
- Maldives Broadcasting Commission
މޯލްޑިވްސް މީޑިއާ އެންޑް ބްރޯޑްކާސްޓިންގ ކޮމިޝަން | |
| |
| Predecessor |
|
|---|---|
| Formation | 18 September 2025 |
| Headquarters | 2–3 floor, Billoorijehige |
| Location | |
Official language | Dhivehi |
Secretary General | Hamdhy Ageel |
President | Mohamed Farusath |
Vice President | Zamath Ahmed Waheed |
History
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission was created following the ratification of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act.[4] Many journalists and non government organizations called for the withdrawing of the bill in the People's Majlis.[5] The bill had also sparked protests across Malé.[6]
On 21 September 2025, the Civil Service Commission formed the interim committee of the commission.[7]
In October, elections were held to appoint members to representing broadcasters and other media organisations. The Maldives Journalists Association had previously called for a boycott of the elections.[8] Abdul Azeez Ibrahim and Zam’ath Ali Waheed representing broadcasters and Simaahaa Naseem and Husain Thafeeq representing other media was elected without vote.[9] They were later appointed to the commission.[10]
A few days later, three new members were appointed following parliamentary approval.[11]
In November, Hamdhy Ageel was appointed as the secretary general of the commission.[12]
Adhadhu cartoon controversy
In January 2026, the commission ordered news outlet Adhadhu to remove its political cartoon published in its SiyaaseeCartoon segment.[13] The cartoon shows a prayer congregation with President Mohamed Muizzu stealing bank notes from an Imam's pocket.[13] The commission alleged that the cartoon contradicts the fundamentals of Islam and may incite conflict.[13] Adhadhu's CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa defended the cartoon and called the commission's action as politically motivated against Adhadhu.[14] The commission banned the circulation of the cartoon despite the government saying that the commission will not have the power to regulate content published on the internet.[15] Adhadhu had decided not to remove the cartoon despite an order being given to.[16] After public criticism, the commission revised its decision and now stating that the media is requested not to share it.[17][18] The commission had also warned Dhauru to remove the photograph of the cartoon from its article.[19] Adhadhu had also filed a case with the Civil Court to challenge the order given by the commission.[20][21] The International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the commission, with international observers warning that the erosion of press freedom in the country is reaching a tipping point.[22][23]
Members
Source:[12]
- Mohamed Farusath – President
- Zamath Ahmed Waheed – Vice President
- Safa Shafeeq
- Aminath Sarahath Izzath
- Hussain Sageef
- Simaha Naseem
- Abdul Azeez Ibrahim