Orca Media Group has issued a strong call for the immediate suspension of the government’s MVR 27.9 million media grant program, citing alarming conflicts of interest and a complete lack of transparency. Released on 29 October, the statement urges an independent review of the entire allocation process conducted by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts.
Orca warns that the program, intended to strengthen a diverse press, has instead raised public concern and risked damaging media credibility across the country. Their key concerns focus on how certain outlets were selected and who managed the process.
One point draws particular controversy. A grant of MVR 1.34 million was reportedly allocated to The Press, an outlet linked to State Minister Ali Shamaan. Orca highlights that Shamaan was actively involved in the grant process itself. The group argues this represents a clear conflict of interest that must be urgently addressed.
Orca also references claims that the largest single payout was awarded to an outlet reported to have ties to senior ministry officials. Combined with the absence of any public disclosure on evaluation criteria or decision making, Orca says these issues severely undermine trust in the fairness of the initiative.
To restore public confidence, Orca has proposed the following corrective actions:
• Pause all disbursements immediately
• Initiate a full independent audit of the scheme
• Re evaluate every application through a neutral committee
• Publish the criteria and justification for every awarded grant
As the call for accountability intensifies, the official list below outlines how the MVR 27.9 million has been distributed so far.
Eligible for Grant: 18 Outlets
Broadcast Media
• Sangu Television, MVR 3,810,505.84
• VTV, MVR 3,010,299.61
• SS TV, MVR 2,972,194.55
Online or Print Media
• One Online, MVR 1,377,803.03
• Voice MV, MVR 1,363,299.84
• The Press, MVR 1,348,796.65
• Sun Online, MVR 1,334,293.46
• Sangu Online, MVR 1,305,287.08
• Dhauru, MVR 1,305,287.08
• Mihaaru, MVR 1,297,783.89
• Thiladhun, MVR 1,218,267.94
• The Edition, MVR 1,174,758.37
• Adhadhu Online, MVR 1,174,758.37
• Theeru Media, MVR 1,145,751.99
• Vnews MV, MVR 1,116,745.61
• Dhiyares News, MVR 1,102,242.42
• Gaafu Online, MVR 1,029,726.48
• Maldeef Online, MVR 899,197.77
