The government has opened applications for financial assistance to private media outlets.

In a notification, the Ministry of Youth said that registered private news magazines in the Maldives and private broadcasters with valid broadcast licences will be eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted from tomorrow until 2pm on Saturday, 27 September, giving outlets 30 days to submit their proposals.

Applications must be submitted online through the government’s ‘MediaApp’ portal, available at https://mediaapp.one.gov.mv.

The government has already formulated and gazetted the policy for providing state-funded financial support to private media. The policy outlines the standards and requirements that applicants must meet.

According to the President’s Office, the allocation for media support has been fixed at 0.1 per cent of the state budget from this year onwards, as announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. This allocation will not depend on revenue from new activities introduced each year but will remain fixed.

The President’s Office said this is the first time private media outlets can apply for state funds under a transparent and accountable framework.