Journalists protest after Media Bill committee held closed

Journalists are staging a protest outside the parliament after the Committee on Independent Institution's decision to hold the meeting on reviewing the media regulation bill closed. 

The bill, submitted by independent MP Abdul Hannan Abu Bakuru, has resulted in widespread opposition and concern from journalists, Maldives Media Council, Maldives Journalists Association, as well as various international organizations. Despite this, the bill was accepted by parliament in an extraordinary sitting held while parliament was officially in recess. 

Although it was previously stated that the committee stage would be proceeded with consultations and discussion, today's meeting on the bill of the Independent Institutions Committee has been held closed. 

After journalists were escorted out of the meeting room, following an announcement that the meeting will be held closed, they began protesting outside the parliament premises. 

Journalists are demanding that the bill be rejected instead of holding closed meetings concerning it. 

The motion to hold a closed meeting was proposed claiming that personal information may be revealed in presenting public opinion on the bill. Committee Chair MP Hussain Riza said that ten to twelve comments have been received for each article of the bill. 

The committee has previously cancelled consultation meetings with the Attorney General's Office, Youth Ministry and Maldives Journalists Association. 

Attending committee meetings during the bill review stage, both the Maldives Media Council and Broadcasting Commission of Maldives advocated against the bill. 

About twenty journalists who later spoke at a committee meeting with media representatives also opposed the bill and called for it to be rejected.

While today's committee meeting was held closed, it is believed that a vote to pass the bill may be taken today. The committee previously decided to conclude review of the bill by September 15. 

While the committee is currently reviewing the bill, parliament has also scheduled an extraordinary sitting for next Monday.