Police last night arrested a youth on allegations of seeking to incite unrest over the recently submitted media regulatory bill. 

The arrested individual has been identified as Ali Anim Mufeed of Athama Villa, S. Hithadhoo. 

Police reported that Anim was arrested under a court order over posts he shared on X which allegedly incited protesters opposing the media regulatory bill to commit acts of unrest. 

Police stated that they are conducting further investigations into the matter. 

The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill was submitted to parliament on Tuesday by independent MP Abdul Hannan AbuBakuru (Thulhaadhoo). The bill seeks to merge the responsibilities of the Maldives Media Council and Broadcasting Commission of the Maldives, and to hand over the responsibilities to a single body, the Maldives Media Commission. 

When the initial hearing of the bill was held in parliament, a number of journalists staged a silent protest both outside the parliament and in the parliament's viewing gallery. 

As per the bill, the seven member commission will be compiled with three members appointed by the President and four members elected by the media. The President of the commission will be appointed by the President. 

The bill also places hefty fines against journalists seen to act in breach of ethical codes set by the commission, as well as giving the commission the authority to shut down media outlets.