The Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) has developed a policy for the accreditation of journalists.

According to the policy the purpose of accrediting journalists is not only to encourage them to provide quality services but also to determine the education and experience of those working as journalists.

Creating a list of journalists working in the broadcasting sector and issuing passes to journalists working in the field is also part of the objectives of the policy.

As per the policy, journalists will be issued passes only to those who have obtained a minimum MQA level III certificate in broadcasting and communication and other fields related to the two sectors or have at least three years of experience in the field, and the applicant for accreditation should not have been convicted of a criminal offence in the last five years.

According to the policy, candidates will have to pay MVR 100 to participate in the course to assess their level of familiarity in these areas.

Accreditation cards will be issued for a period of five years, the policy said.

Training programmes to be carried out for issuing passes:

  • Code of Practice for Broadcasting (Disciplinary Standards)
  • How to protect children's rights while broadcasting
  • How to protect women's rights while broadcasting
  • How to present coverage on natural disasters and tragedies
  • Guidelines for covering protests and riots
  • Guidelines for broadcast of political content during elections