Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) expresses concern over Public Service Media (PSM)'s Technical Operation Manager Ahmed Musthafa's appointment as Maldives Media Council (MMC)'s president.

Musthafa was elected as the president of MMC on Thursday while Vaguthu Online's Deputy Editor Hussain Shareef was elected as vice president. Musthafa was elected with MMC's nine members votes.

MJA's press release stated that it is concerning for MMC's president to have representation in a media house regulated by the government, and that it contradicts with MMC's self-regulation.

"This will create challenges for journalists in private media outlets that are self-regulated, and that is a concern for a lot of journalists. This could also challenge the freedom of media in the Maldives in the future," MJA said.

MJA added that media outlets should be regulated without any influence from the state. As such, MMC should be self-regulatory and independent to maintain independence in the media, MJA said.