Controversial Media Bill passed

Parliament has passed the controversial Media Bill despite protests being staged outside the Parliament House since morning. 

The bill was passed with votes in favour from 60 MPs. Only 1 MP voted against. 

As the parliament readied to ask for voting on the bill, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, who was presiding over today's sitting, said that claims that the work on the bill was conducted in contravention of parliament regulations is untrue. 

Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah, meanwhile, stated that the bill had been passed in committee after taking into consideration concerns raised by journalists. 

He also cited Parliament's Counsel General Filza and asserted that the bill was drafted in accordance with the Constitution and laws, and had no provisions that contravened either. 

In the debate on the bill, Kan'ditheemu MP Ameen Faisal said that the committee report had been received by MPs only around 05:15pm today, granting them less than fifteen minutes to review the bill ahead of the debate. 

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs protested on the parliament floor against the bill. Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim announced the names of individual MPs for removal from the floor. Amongst the names that were announced are MPs Ibrahim Nazil, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Mohamed Niushad, Dr Ahmed Shamheed, Mohamed Ibrahim, Mauroof Zakir and Hussain Ziyad. 

Journalists and members of the public continue to stage protests outside the parliament since this morning. They have faced obstruction from the Police, with some being arrested or injured. 

The Media Bill has been passed disregarding calls from over twenty organizations, both local and international, calling for the bill to be rejected as it poses immense threat to press freedom and freedom of expression.