The government has allocated USD 1.8 million to be disbursed from the state budget to be disbursed among 18 media outlets under its policy to provide financial assistance to the media sector.
Financial support to private media from the state budget is a key presidential pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Applications for financial assistance under this pledge were opened in August, with the deadline closing on 7 October.
The Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Information and Arts has announced the eligible media outlets and the amounts to be allocated to each. According to the list, Sangu TV will receive the highest amount this year, with USD 246,433 allocated to the channel. VTV follows with USD 194,553, and SSTV with USD 188,067.
Details of the funds allocated to private media outlets:
- Sangu TV: USD 246,433
- VTV: USD 194,553
- SSTV: USD 188,067
- VNews MV: USD 71,336
- One Online: USD 88,846
- Sun Online: USD 86,252
- Sangu Online: USD 84,306
- Voice MV: USD 88,197
- The Press: USD 86,900
- Dhauru Newspaper: USD 84,306
- Mihaaru Newspaper: USD 83,658
- Mihaaru English Edition: USD 75,875
- Thiladhun: USD 77,821
- Adhadhu News: USD 75,875
- Theeru Media: USD 73,930
- Dhiyares: USD 71,336
- Gaafu Online: USD 64,851
- Maaldheef Online: USD 58,314
A total of 0.1 percent of the state budget is allocated to media funding, which will be distributed in three instalments under the Policies on Financial Assistance to Media.
One of the main eligibility criteria for receiving financial assistance under the initiative is that the media outlet must be registered, and if it is a broadcast media, it must be licensed.
This marks the first year the state budget has allocated financial assistance to private media outlets. The President has pledged to provide such support to private media outlets annually.
The government stated that the initiative aims to assist private media to operate as financially viable and independent outlets. Such assistance also aims to promote the dissemination of responsible and productive journalism and to support the growth of a sustainable and reliable media industry that offers meaningful employment opportunities.