MVR 28 million in grants to be awarded to 18 media outlets

Under the policy on providing financial assistance to registered media from the State budget, it has been announced that MVR 27.9 million will be issued 18 media outlets. 

Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts has released a list of media outlets deemed eligible, along with the grant amounts allocated to each. 

The highest allocation is granted to Sangu TV, in which Youth Minister Ibrahim Waheed (Asward) holds a stake. Sangu TV is allocated MVR 3.8 million, while Sangu Online is granted MVR 1.3 million, coming to a total of MVR 5.1 million. 

The second highest amount goes to Sun Media Group. The group's SSTV is granted MVR 2.9 million, while Sun Online will receive MVR 1.3 million. 

VTV stands to receive MVR 3 million, and VNews Online, MVR 1.1 million. 

Providing grants from the State budget to media is amongst the presidential pledges of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. This year's budget includes an allocation for this, at 0.1 percent of projected revenue. 

The grants are provided to media outlets that meet certain eligibility criteria and score over a minimum amount of points. This is the first time that a government in Maldives is issuing grants from the State budget to registered private media.