No intention to control media, requested bill revision: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that he has never had any interest in controlling media.

The President said that he does want the authority to appoint members to the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission - proposed to be formed to replace the existing Maldives Media Council and Broadcasting Commission of the Maldives. He said that he has communicated this to parliament members of ruling People's National Congress (PNC). 

Speaking at the meeting held tonight with residents of HDh. Nolhivaranfaru, the President spoke at length about the proposed media regulation bill. 

The President said that he does wish for the bill to be framed in a way that places any authority on him to control or suppress press freedom. 

The bill was submitted to parliament last week by independent MP Abdul Hannan AbuBakuru (Thulhaadhoo). The bill gives sweeping powers to the President in regulating media, and places hefty fines on journalists and media outlets breaching a code of ethics which is to be set by the proposed commission. The bill also grants the authority to cancel media outlet licenses. 

According to the bill, the President, with parliamentary approval, will appoint three members to the seven member commission, with the remaining four members to be elected by media. The Chair of the commission is also to be appointed by the President. 

"I have never had interest in controlling media. Nor is it something I have ever done, or will do," the President asserted. 

The President said that PNC MPs have now been instructed to appoint a member from amongst the seven members of the commission as Chair. 

"I do not want for us to exert influence over media in any way. Media must operate with independence," the President said. 

"Even in the current bill, from what I know, four members are being elected through votes from the media. The remaining three members will be appointed through votes in parliament. Then from amongst these seven, I want the Chair to be elected through the votes of all seven," the President said. 

If the bill is passed, the Media Commission can:

On Tuesday, when the first 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. 

Both local and international organizations advocating for press freedom have released statements calling on the government to withdraw the bill.