AG Usham assures journalists their concerns will be addressed

Attorney General Ahmed Usham assured journalists today that he would address their concerns regarding the Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill, which proposes fines for media outlets and individual journalists, along with the revocation of their licenses.

In response to the bill, Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) and Maldives Media Council (MMC) launched a campaign called "Hatharehge Hahgguga," meaning "Rights of the Fourth Estate" to express concern over the Media and Broadcasting Commission bill introduced by Independent Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannaan Aboobakuru.

Senior journalists who are leading the campaign met AG Usham, Youth Minister Ibrahim Waheed, and Minister at the President's Office Ibrahim Khaleel today.

Attorney General's Office said that it had heard the complaints about the Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill and assured journalists that their concerns would be addressed.

During a press conference held by "Hatharehge Hahgguga" campaign after the meeting, MJA Secretary General Ahmed Naif said the Attorney General had expressed his opinion to dissolve MMC and Broadcom, which currently hold the legal authority to regulate the media.

“The AG [said] that he opines to abolish both commissions altogether and not regulate the media. However, there is no confirmation of that,” Naif said.

MJA also welcomed the government's opposition to the bill.

However, the government has not yet decided on the next steps regarding the bill.

MJA and MMC have called for the Media Commission Bill to be withdrawn from parliament, as they believe it cannot be amended.