Usham backs Media Bill as a tool for lawful information dissemination

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has defended the Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill as a tool for ensuring information dissemination and journalism fall in line with the Constitution and laws. 

Speaking on a State TV programme, Usham said that if the amendments proposed to the bill are passed by parliament, then a solution would be found for all concerns, and media can be properly regulated. 

The bill was proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan AbuBakuru. 

Usham emphasized the bill's role in promoting factual reporting, citing persistent concerns over false information in the media. He noted that a solution has not been found to the issue of defamation, and said that consecutive governments have attempted to find a solution for this. 

He maintains that the bill as is, along with the proposed amendments, will ensure that the spread of false information is brought to a stop. 

Usham revealed that as the bill is being reviewed by the Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions, the government has proposed 14 amendments. 

A proposed addition to Article 7 of the bill assigns the commission the duty to curb indecent acts and expressions that conflict with Islamic principles. 

Usham further said that the government has proposed that the President be given no role in appointing or dismissing members to the Commission or the Commission's Chief. 

The government has also proposed removing the provision that action can be taken against individual journalists. They have also elaborated the procedures for investigating cases as the original bill was vague about this. 

Speaking on the programme, Youth Minister Ibrahim Waheed reiterated that neither the government nor the President has any intention to control the media. 

"I have not even had any such instruction and nor has Maldivian journalists. The aim is to address challenges faced by Maldivian journalists. We are doing this to facilitate their advancement," the minister said. 

Journalists have submitted a petition against the bill to both the parliament and the President. They have also raised these concerns with the review committee and called for the bill to be withdrawn.