The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Control Commission) has instructed the Youth Ministry to give financial assistance (media grants) to 37 private media outlets from the state budget.

A reliable source in the Control Commission told Adhadhu that funds were withheld for two media outlets out of the 39 that were approved.

It is not clear which two media outlets were omitted from the final list. There was concern among the public and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) because funds were allocated to media outlets which do not operate regularly.

A total of 41 media outlets were eligible for the media grant. However, Furathama News and Kulhudhuffushi Online did not complete the required procedures within the deadline and were disqualified.

The largest grant has been allocated to Mihaaru (MVR 793,214.45) and its English version The Edition (MVR 633,292.18). The total amount is MVR 1,426,506.63.

Sangu Online was allocated the second largest grant with MVR 1,081,074.53 while Sun Online was third with MVR 1,068,280.75.

This is the second time the eligible media list was announced. The Youth Ministry had earlier opened for media grants and allocated MVR 27.9 million to 18 media outlets. However, the ministry suddenly canceled the list following criticism.

Later, the ministry said in an announcement that it considered the Control Commission to be the best institution to allocate funds to the media. The Control Commission gave only two days, including the weekend, to apply for the media grant.