A new set of rules on complaints and cases filed with the Media and Broadcasting Commission of Maldives (MCBC) has come into force Tuesday.

The rules set out procedures for handling complaints on content distributed by media outlets through a system intended to consider cases and apply action where laws and regulations are breached.

Under the rules, any person may submit a complaint regarding media content. The Commission may also take up cases submitted by state institutions on its own initiative.

A complaint must be submitted within 45 days of publication or broadcast of the content. The respondent is to be given seven days to respond during the investigation process. The Commission must issue a decision within 30 days of receiving a complaint.

If a party is not satisfied with a decision, a review application may be submitted within seven days. The decision may be taken to court within six months.

Broadcasters, media workers and journalists are required to follow a code of conduct. Action may be taken against individual journalists for breaches of the rules.

A special ad hoc committee will examine cases. The committee may include persons who are not members of the Commission.

Sanctions will be decided by the Commission after investigation. The framework includes fines for broadcasters between MVR 50,000 and MVR 250,000, and for newspapers and magazines between MVR 5,000 and MVR 100,000.

Measures under the rules include correction of content, public apology, suspension, cancellation of media licence, and cancellation of newspaper registration.

Rules for registration of newspapers and magazines have also been published and have come into force.

Under these rules, newspapers and magazines must be registered with the Commission before publication. Political parties, associations and government agencies are exempt for material relating only to their members or employees.

Registration is valid for five years. Renewal applications must be submitted 90 days before expiry. Changes in responsibility require renewal of registration.

The Commission may cancel registration if a newspaper does not publish content for one year.

The media law, passed by Parliament and approved by President Mohamed Muizzu last September, abolished the former Broadcom and MMC. Media oversight has been assigned to a government-controlled commission.

Foreign organisations have raised concern that oversight by a government-controlled body affects press regulation and media freedom.

The Maldivian Journalists Association (MJA) has filed a case in the High Court seeking to annul the law.