Communication Minister at President's Office Ibrahim Khaleel has said today that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu does not wish for there to be three members appointed by him on the proposed media regulatory commission.
Khaleel and Youth Minister Ibrahim Waheed came outside to meet the press gathered at the 'Media Bench' in front of the President's Office today in response to calls from journalists to meet with senior government officials. Journalists gathered there posed a number of questions to the ministers.
Responding to questions, Khaleel said that the President does not wish to hold any authority over the media regulation commission that the bill calls to form.
Speaking to residents of HDh. Nolhivaranfaru on August 25, the President said that he did not want the authority to appoint a chair of this commission. He said that he had advised ruling People's National Congress (PNC) to revise this to read that the chair will be elected through a vote amongst the seven members of the commission.
The bill, giving regulatory powers and sweeping control over the media, was submitted to parliament by independent MP Abdul Hannan AbuBakuru (Thulhaadhoo). As per the bill, a seven member Media and Broadcasting Commission will replace the existing Maldives Media Council and Broadcasting Commission of Maldives. Three members of this commission are to be appointed by the President, with the four remaining members to be elected by media. The President is also granted the authority to appoint a Chair of the commission.
Speaking to media about this, Khaleel said that in addition to the Chair, the President also does not want to appoint the three members as said in the bill.
"No no, the President does not want to have any role even in appointing members," Khaleel insisted.
Khaleel declared that this administration would not endorse any bill that would "control media, lock or narrow their freedoms".
Despite his insistence, the bill was passed in parliament yesterday through the votes of 49 MPs from ruling PNC, who hold a parliament majority.
Journalists then asked that if this was the government's stance, would the bill then be recalled.
"I have just a few moments ago shared the government's stance. I will not make any comments at this time about withdrawing the bill or not. PNC MPs were given advise by the President. What I said is the government will not endorse, the President will not endorse, anything to go as you say to control media," Khaleel responded.
"As I see it, the media's voice will be heard, and the bill will be passed in the way media wants it as well."
Khaleel opined that the bill 'has some very good points, and some bad'. Journalists requested that he elaborate on this.
"The good thing is merging the two institutions. That is a very good thing," he explained.
"If you look at the huge UK, do they have separate institutions to regulate separate media? For example, Ofcom (UK's independent media and communications regulator), they regulate everything, from communication, information... things are set in a way that provides ease to media and the public as well," Khaleel said.
Although Khaleel took Ofcom as an example, the UK too has a self-regulatory system for media. Complaints against the media are looked into by independent institutions such as Independent Press Standard Organization (IPSO) and The Independent Monitor for Press (Impress).
According to Khaleel, one of the negative provisions in the bill is that the media regulatory body can be bypassed and journalists can be summoned straight to Police. Khaleel said that such provisions require amendments, and said that this can be done through discussions between media personnel and the parliament.
"The government has no interest in regulating media, undermining them or narrowing their rights, or to impale them like you say," Khaleel said.
