The Maldives Media Council (MMC) on Tuesday urged lawmakers to reject the proposed legislation, warning that it posed a “serious threat” to press freedom and would roll back constitutional protections.
In a statement, the MMC said the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill was “designed to seriously infringe” on the constitutional right to freedom of the press.
“The bill completely replaces the existing independent self-regulatory system to regulate the media and gives control of the entire media to the government and the party with the majority in parliament,” the council said.
The proposed law, introduced in parliament on Monday by government-aligned MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, would abolish the current Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council, replacing them with a new Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.
The MMC said the composition of the new commission, which gives the president the authority to appoint its chair and dismiss members, would prevent journalists from working freely. It also argued the draft law undermines Article 28 of the Constitution, which protects journalists from being compelled to reveal their sources.
The council further warned that vague provisions could be misused through arbitrary interpretations. “The bill opens the door for unfair action against the media and gives the commission the power to stop a media outlet until a case is proved through the judicial system,” it said.
According to the MMC, the legislation would “set back the hard-earned freedom of the press for many years” and damage the Maldives’ standing in international press freedom rankings.
“The council will always welcome a responsible free press environment in the Maldives and resolve the problems in the system. We believe that this will require wide consultation,” the MMC said.
The Muizzu administration did not immediately comment on the bill or the council’s statement.