The Government has allocated MVR 27.29 million to 40 media outlets in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to provide financial assistance to media organisations.

Following his victory in the 2023 presidential election, President Dr Muizzu held a press conference with journalists as president-elect, during which members of the media highlighted funding constraints as one of the main challenges to operating freely and fulfilling their journalistic responsibilities.

At the meeting, the President pledged to allocate a portion of the State budget to support media outlets, with the aim of enabling them to serve the public interest, improve productivity and strengthen institutional management.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts said that 40 media outlets had been identified as eligible to receive funding under the regulations of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.

As a result, the Ministry of Finance and Planning has disbursed a total of MVR 27,295,532.69 to the selected media outlets.

The Government said it believes the financial assistance will help strengthen the financial stability of media organisations, reduce external pressures that may influence news coverage, and support the practice of independent and responsible journalism in the Maldives.