Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) President Mohamed Farushath has resigned today, citing difficulties in carrying out his duties fairly and equitably. 

Mihaaru reports that they have received a copy of the resignation letter sent by Farushath to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. 

The letter states that he is resigning from the posts of president and member of the commission effective today as he has faced unresolvable challenges in planning and carrying out his duties in full towards all media outlets fairly and equitably. 

Farushath said that it is his hope that Maldives media becomes a responsible actor in safeguarding the rights of the public through working in a free and independent environment with regards to maturity and adequate financial and educational support. 

Farushath said that the law mandates the commission and its members to fairly and equitably fulfil their duties to uphold the standards, and disciplinary and ethical regulations for Maldivian media. He said that doing so is the foundation for maintaining public confidence and trust in the commission and upholding the spirit and objective of the law.

Farushath's resignation comes at a time when changes have been brought to the policy on the government providing annual financial support to media outlets, and those changes opened for comment from media. 

The most major change brought to the policy this time is that financial support will be provided if a media has been operated for one year after registration. Previously, the policy set the period as three years. 

Farushath was appointed as President of the MMBC on October 27 last year. He has previously served as the Secretary General of the Maldives Media Council, and in various government positions. 

The MMBC has seven members in total. This includes three members appointed by the parliament and four members elected by media representatives.

However, as only four individuals had applied when the commission was first formed, the four members were automatically selected without an election. These four members are Abdul Azeez Ibrahim, Zam'ath Ahmed Waheed, Simaha Naseem, and Hussain Sageef. Zam'ath is the Vice President of the commission. 

The three members appointed to the commission by the parliament are Farushath, Sofa Shafeeq, and Aminath Sarahath Izzath.