MDP concerned over attempt to "shroud" press freedom with new commission

Opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concern over the recent bill to abolish the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC), which currently regulate journalism in Maldives, and establish a government controlled commission.

The bill was submitted to the Parliament by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannaan Abubakr.

Speaking with Mihaaru News, Parliamentary Group leader of the ruling party and Parliament's supermajority holder People's National Congress (PNC) said that the bill was not sponsored by the government, and that the party would be making a decision regarding the bill only after group discussions.

"We can only decide after researching the bill properly," he said.

If passed, the Media Council and Broadcasting Commission are to be dissolved and replaced by a commission of seven members; four members appointed by the President and approved by the Parliament, and three members elected by the media. If the commission is formed in this way, the parliament and the government will have the opportunity to decide the cases as they wish.

The bill also gives the power to appoint the President and Vice-President of the Commission to the President, however, with the approval of the Parliament.

A statement issued by MDP in response to the bill said that they are concerned about the bill, adding that a state controlled commission only serves to "shroud" press freedom.

MDP further said that given previous statements by Attorney General Ahmed Usham that the government may merge MMC and BCM, the bill being submitted to the Parliament via an independent member was a cunning move by the ruling party.

"This bill was submitted to the Parliament with the government's influence to shroud media freedom," MDP said in its statement.

The party further said that granting the power to appoint members to the Media Commission to the President, who would also have the authority to appoint the Commission's President and Vice President, would close off the path for self regulation of the media. They also said that this would allow the government to exert an infinite influence on the media as well.

The MDP said the provisions in the bill that would impose fines on the media and journalists violate the freedom of speech guaranteed in the Constitution and prevent the work of journalists and the media as the fourth estate of democracy.

As such, the party would not support any bill that obstructs media freedom, especially when media plays the biggest role in holding the government accountable.

MDP, in its statement, also called for the bill to be withdrawn.

The bill in question includes the responsibilities of the new commission which would be set up if the bill comes into effect. One such responsibility is formulating a code of conduct for the media and journalists to follow. As per the bill, this code of conduct must be formulated in consultation with both the media and journalists.

The bill also gives the commission substantial powers to fine media outlets that repeatedly violate the code of conduct, withhold their licences, halt a program or part of a program and demand apologies.

According to the bill, media outlets will be fined anywhere between MVR 5,000 to MVR 50,000 for violating the code of conduct while individual journalists may be subject to MVR 5,000 to MVR 10,000 fines.

Apart from political parties, Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has also raised concerns about the bill.