President of Maldives Media Council, Mohamed Shafau Hassan said the bulk of the work in establishing a press club for media workers will be completed before the end of the current term of MMC.
Speaking at the 2021 Journalism Awards ceremony held by the council on Saturday, November 12, Shafau said the council has accomplished significant achievements so far during its current term. After a period of 11 years, the code of conduct for journalists has been reviewed and implemented with the endorsement of the media, he said.
He said journalists are being sent abroad for training and a large number of young individuals have been brought into journalism under the guidance of the most experienced people in the field.
Shafau said that while a new policy for compiling and maintenance of registered newspapers and magazines has been introduced, media registry would be compiled in the near future.
He said most of the work on building a press club would be completed by the end of the current term of the Media Council.
"The term of the council will expire by mid-December. I can assure you that this term will end with the completion of the major works of building a press club for media workers," Shafau said.
He said the fears, challenges and dangers for Maldivian journalists are always present in different forms. He noted that there is still a law that forces people to reveal their sources and can be imprisoned. He said an amendment to the Penal Code has been proposed that would pose a serious obstacle to journalists and journalism.
Shafau said that after 12 years the amendments to the council law have been sent to parliament to reduce the fear in the journalistic environment.
As such, the Media Council is completing a baseline study on the country’s media for the first time. He said a media grant scheme has already been launched to encourage the media.
Shafau noted that MMC's term will end with a comprehensive roadmap for the safety and security of media workers.
"The council will facilitate training programs to bring fresh talent into journalism and work towards grading and classification of journalists, in addition to facilitating online complaint submissions", he said.
The ceremony also presented awards to the best journalists in various fields and those who have contributed to the sector for a long time.
Aiminath Shifleen of Dhauru News was awarded the best journalist of the year while Alim Abdul Latheef of Mihaaru News won the best journalist award.
MMC's Lifetime Achievement Award or "Hayaathee Arutha", was presented to Dr. Ali Rafeeq and Mohamed Waheed (Mudulu).
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