Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed has said the Government will have no role in allocating financial assistance to media outlets.

The Minister made the remarks at a press conference held at the President’s Office on Tuesday to brief the media on the work of the Ministry.

He said a list of eligible media outlets has already been identified by the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC), noting that the list includes 41 media organisations. The Ministry currently holds the list but has requested further clarification from the Commission to ensure the process is carried out transparently.

Minister Waheed said he has asked the MMBC to formally provide details on the allocation framework, including the points awarded to each outlet and the corresponding amounts to be disbursed. He said the intention is to ensure full transparency, in line with a pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

The Minister acknowledged earlier media reports questioning how the process was being handled and said the Ministry accepted that the process needed to be carried out more transparently. As a result, he said responsibility for the matter was handed over entirely to the MMBC, which subsequently established the necessary procedures, engaged with media organisations, gathered the required information, and completed the relevant assessments.

Ministry’s role is now limited to facilitating the process, the Minister said. Verified information provided by the MMBC is being forwarded to the Ministry of Finance and Planning for disbursement, without any changes or intervention.

“We are sending the details exactly as provided. The Government will have no role in changing allocations. The Ministry is only facilitating the implementation of the decision made by the Media Commission,” he said.

Providing financial assistance to private media outlets is a presidential pledge of President Dr Muizzu. The MMBC has stated that 41 out of 57 private media outlets assessed met the eligibility criteria for State financial assistance.