Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission

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]

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 commmittee 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]

In January 2026, the commmission 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 contraditcs the fundamentals of Islam and may incite conflict.^[13] Adhadhu's CEO Hussain Fiyaz Moosa defended the cartoon and called the commiission'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]

Source:^[12]

• Mohamed Farusath – President
• Zamath Ahmed Waheed – Vice President
• Safa Shafeeq
• Aminath Sarahath Izzath
• Hussain Sageef
• Simaha Naseem
• Abdul Azeez Ibrahim