Civil Service Commission (CSC) has formed the interim committee mandated by the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, which was ratified on Thursday despite protests from journalists.
CSC, on Sunday, announced that the interim committee — required under the Act to function until the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission is officially formed and its members appointed — has been formed. 
The five-member interim committee comprises of:
Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts’ Director General Ali Zaki
Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works’ Director General Ahmed Mausoom
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade’s Director General Aminath Shaahidha
Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ Director General Aminath Naseer
Maldives National Library’s Chief Corporate Executive Imad Mohamed
Scope of work of the interim committee:
Administrative works of the Commission
Accepting complaints filed with the Commission
Making decisions on requests to register as media outlets
Works which the interim committee cannot undertake
Investigating complaints submitted to the Commission, continuing investigations left incomplete by the former Maldives Broadcasting Commission and Maldives Media Council, concluding these cases, and taking action with respect to these cases.  
Revoking the permits of media outlets
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu established the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act on Thursday. MMBC will comprise of seven members – three appointed by the Parliament and four elected by registered medias. The legislative assembly is also empowered to appoint the commission’s chairperson, and all members, including those elected by medias, can be dismissed by the Parliament, in which the ruling PNC enjoys a supermajority.
 
Members have yet to be appointed to the Commission formed on Thursday. 
While journalist protest against the Act as a direct threat to press freedom and a crackdown on dissent, PNC administration touts it as important legislature that protects people from defamation, disinformation and misinformation, and paves the path for accountability in the media field.