Will allocate incentives for media through State budget: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reassured local media that he will fulfill his presidential pledge to provide a special allowance or incentives to local media outlets from the State budget.

President Muizzu began addressing the financial issues faced by local media as early as his presidential campaigns and said that limited income was the biggest challenge media outlets faced in the country. The solution he suggested at the time was financially supplementing local media from the state’s budget.

He reiterated the same sentiments today in his speech marking World Press Freedom Day and said that he will make the pledge a reality with support from the government aligned Parliament.

As the results of the most recent Parliamentary Elections indicate, ruling party People’s National Congress (PNC) will hold super majority in the incoming 20th Parliament who are due to be sworn in on 28th May.

With this in motion, it is believed that the government would be able to pass decisions easily once the new Parliament comes into office.

Apart from the financial issues, President Dr Muizzu also touched on providing media outlets with a ‘media village’ where affordable office spaces would be accessible, as well as education and training opportunities for journalists in the country. He also promised to strengthen the relationship between international and local press, and parties working to strengthen journalism globally.

“The government is concerned that radio news, broadcasting and print news are stopping operations in Maldives due to low income. The government aims to maintain a favourable environment for all forms of journalism in the Maldives, including TV, radio, print, and all other forms of reporting being done via internet and modern technology,” said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

He also noted that social media continues to have increasing influence and power as times change, creating the opportunity for anyone to post news and opinions to the world within a short time. However, in an open and transparent world, it is an individual and national responsibility for everyone to spread accurate information, he stressed.

“In this age of constant information flow including lies and truth, everyone should be careful and deeply think about, and verify the news they receive,” said the President. “It is to prevent the unfathomable pain and discomfort that may be inflicted with the tongue or pen.”

On that note, he requested the press to fulfil their national responsibility and duty properly and with sincerity.