Attorney General Ahmed Usham opines to dissolve the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom), as well as to dismantle the current mechanism for regulating the media, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) said today.
The association made this statement following a meeting with AG Usham to discuss concerns over the Media and Broadcasting Commission bill introduced by Independent Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannaan Aboobakuru.
The bill proposes imposing fines on media outlets and individual journalists, as well as revoking their licenses.
In response to the bill, MJA and MMC launched a campaign called "Hatharehge Hahgguga," meaning "Rights of the Fourth Estate."
AG Usham, Youth Minister Ibrahim Waheed, and Minister at the President's Office Ibrahim Khaleel met with senior journalists from the Core-Group leading the campaign.
After the meeting, MJA Secretary General Ahmed Naif said in a press conference at MJA office that the AG's intention is to dissolve both the MMC and Broadcom.
“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.
Naif said that AG Usham assured them the government would not interfere with the operation of the media and hinder journalism. However, despite the government's opposition to the bill, no decision has been made against the proposal by MP Hannaan, Naif quoted the AG.
MJA and MMC have called for the Media Commission Bill to be withdrawn from parliament, as they believe it cannot be amended. The "Hatharehge Hahgguga" campaign has also launched a petition calling for the bill to be removed from parliament, describing it as an attempt to control journalists.
The first reading of the bill, to establish a commission called the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission, was heard in Parliament.
Under the bill, the new commission would consist of seven members: four appointed by the President with Parliament’s approval, and three elected by the media.
Only broadcasters, media outlets, and journalists registered for five years or more would be eligible to vote for the three media representatives. The President, with Parliament’s approval, would appoint the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Commission.
The bill grants the commission powers to enforce the code of conduct, including the authority to fine media outlets for repeated breaches, suspend licenses, halt programs, or issue mandatory apologies.
Fines for repeated violations by media outlets would range from MVR 5,000 to MVR 50,000. Individual journalists may also face fines between MVR 5,000 and MVR 10,000 for breaches of conduct.
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