CPJ calls to reject 'regressive' media bill

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to reject the recently submitted media regulation bill which would dismantle press freedom and place the media directly under government control.

This is the second such bill submitted within a year. 

“President Mohamed Muizzu must uphold his pledge to support media freedom by ensuring this regressive bill is withdrawn,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific Regional Director Beh Lih Yi.

“Creating a new commission, stacking it with presidential appointees, and then granting it sweeping powers to fine, suspend, and shutter news outlets as it sees fit would destroy independent journalism and erode the Maldives’ fragile democratic space.”  

The bill seeks to dissolve two existing regulatory bodies, the Maldives Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission of Maldives, and replace it with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. 

This commission would be compiled of seven members: three of whom will be appointed by the President, with the four remaining members to be elected by the media. The President also holds the authority to appoint Commission Chair. 

Both the Maldives Media Council and Journalists Association of Maldives have issued statements opposing the bill. The IFJ has also released a statement calling the Maldives' government to reject the bill. 

Journalists staged a silent protest both outside the Parliament and in the Parliament's viewing gallery when the first hearing of the bill was conducted.