Leevan arrested from media bill protests

'Adhadhu' journalist Leevan Ali Naseer has been arrested from the ongoing protest against the media bill. 

Journalists and members of the public have been protesting outside the parliament against the controversial media bill since this morning. 

Police said that two men, aged 28 and 40, have been arrested from the protests for obstruction of duties of State officials. 

Videos circulating indicate that one of the two men is journalist Leevan. 

The controversial media regulation bill, which raises concerns of stifling press freedom, was submitted by independent MP Abdul Hannan Abu Bakuru, and has been backed by ruling party People's National Congress (PNC) MPs. 

Journalists have raised concerns regarding the bill with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu as well. 

A petition signed by a high number of journalists has also been submitted both to the President and the Parliament, calling for the bill to be rejected. The petition was entirely disregarded as parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions rushed through bill review, and passed the bill.  The petition itself has been rejected by the committee. 

The Committee on Independent Institutions initially completed review of the bill and passed it yesterday in the midst of protests from journalists. 

After this, another meeting was held again today for bill review, where the bill was passed once again, this time including recommendations from the Parliament's Counsel General. 

This was backed by all PNC MPs in the committee, with the only opposition MDP MP in the committee, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, opposing it. 

Maldives Journalists Association, along with 21 other organizations, both local and international, have issued a statement calling for the bill to be rejected. Reporters Without Borders has also called for the bill to be withdrawn, describing it as a threat to press freedom in the country. 

Despite this, the parliament is now preparing to pass the bill on the floor. 

The government, meanwhile, claims that the bill has been passed by the committee inclusive of amendments wanted by journalists and media representatives. The government asserts that the bill will pose no obstructions to freely conducting journalistic work.