The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) has announced a new national Code of Conduct for journalists, broadcasters and media personnel, introducing wide-ranging ethical and professional standards aimed at enhancing accountability across the country’s media landscape.
The code, formulated under the recently enacted Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Act, outlines responsibilities that media workers must uphold while reporting and producing content. MMBC says the framework is designed to strengthen responsible journalism, protect public interest and uphold the values enshrined in national law.
Under the new guidelines, media professionals are required to respect Islam, the Constitution and national legislation, while ensuring that their work does not undermine public order, national security, or social morality. The code places strong emphasis on accuracy, fairness and transparency, requiring journalists to verify information, safeguard individual privacy and avoid publishing material that may harm vulnerable groups such as children or people with special needs.
The commission also highlighted the importance of maintaining a diversity of viewpoints in public discourse, provided content complies with legal boundaries.
In a significant addition, the code includes specific rules regarding intellectual property and the use of emerging technologies. Plagiarism and unauthorised reproduction of media content are strictly prohibited. Meanwhile, any use of artificial intelligence in content creation must be openly disclosed, and the final output must be vetted by a human professional before publication.
Penalties for violations vary depending on severity. Media organisations face fines ranging from USD 324.25 to USD 6,485.08, while individual journalists may be required to issue public corrections, apologies or retractions on the instruction of the MMBC.
The commission said the introduction of the code marks an important step in the government’s broader effort to raise professional standards, enhance ethical reporting and reinforce public trust in Maldivian media.
