Falah has stated that the ruling party has not yet decided whether it will be endorsing the bill submitted to parliament today proposing the merging of Media Council and Broadcasting Commission.
Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader and MP for Inguraidhoo constituency Ibrahim Falah has stated that the party has not yet decided whether it will be endorsing the bill submitted to parliament today proposing the merging of Media Council and Broadcasting Commission.
Falah said that a decision on whether or not to endorse the bill will only be reached after reviewing it.
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill's first hearing was held in today's parliament sitting.
The bill, which has raised concerns amongst journalists and media regarding many articles which appear to threaten press freedom, was submitted to parliament by Thulhadhoo constituency MP Abdul Hannan Abu Bakuru.
When Mihaaru News posed questions regarding such concerns to Falah, he responded that the bill has not been submitted by the government. He stated that the ruling party will only decide on whether it will endorse the bill after further reviewing it.
As the bill stands now, the commission will be made up of seven members. These seven members will include four appointed by the President with parliamentary approval and three elected from media.
Media and broadcasting outlets which have been operating under official registration for a minimum of five years, and journalists working at these media outlets, will be eligible to vote for these three members.
The bill grants the President the authority to appoint the President and Vice President of the commission, with parliamentary approval.
The bill further states that if any media repeatedly acts against set disciplinary standards, they can be fined between MVR 5000 and MVR 50,000. Individuals can be fined between MVR 5000 and MVR 10,000.
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