Journalists protest against media control bill

Journalists are currently demonstrating at the parliament against the media control bill submitted by independent MP Abdul Hannan AbuBakuru. 

The bill has been placed on agenda for today's extraordinary parliament sitting. It is believed that parliament may vote on accepting the bill today. 

The bill was submitted and its first hearing held at the sitting held after extending the parliament session. Journalists staged a silent protest in the parliament's viewing gallery that day, leading to the debate on the bill being halted as the sitting was adjourned halfway. 

Journalists from various media outlets gathered outside parliament today holding placards calling for the bill to be rejected. Once today's sitting started, the journalists have now entered the viewing gallery, where they continue their demonstration. 

Journalists met with some MPs as they arrived for today's sitting and appealed to them to reject the bill. Some MPs responded that they approve of the bill. Some said that any reservations journalists have can be addressed during the committee stage. 

Maldives Media Council and Maldives Journalists Association have released statements against the bill, calling for it to be withdrawn. Journalists are also signing a petition against the bill. The petition raises concerns that the bill is drafted in a way that narrows the press freedoms and rights granted in the Constitution, placing control of media in the hands of incumbent governments and political parties which hold parliament majority.