A group of Sri Lankan media professionals and social activists staged a demonstration outside the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday, voicing solidarity with journalists in the Maldives after the passage of a controversial media regulation bill.
The protesters handed over a letter to Maldivian High Commissioner, urging President Mohamed Muizzu’s government to safeguard freedom of expression, including dissenting and opposition voices.
The rally came a day after the Parliament passed the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill in an extraordinary session in Malé. The legislation dissolves the Maldives Media Council and Maldives Broadcasting Commission and replaces them with a new body, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.
Under the law, three of the commission’s seven members, including its chair, will be appointed by the president, with the remaining four chosen by media outlets. The commission has powers to suspend media registrations, block websites, halt broadcasts and impose fines of up to MVR 100,000 (USD 6,400).
The bill passed with 60 votes in favour and one against, despite protests by opposition lawmakers inside Parliament and demonstrations outside by journalists and members of the public. Police dispersed the crowds, and several journalists reported being assaulted, with at least two detained, according to media reports.
Rights groups, opposition parties and media associations in the Maldives have condemned the legislation as a threat to free expression and independent journalism. The Maldives Journalists Association described it as a “grave threat” that could criminalise reporting.
President Muizzu and ruling People’s National Congress lawmakers defended the bill, saying it is needed to strengthen accountability and combat misinformation.
The United States on Tuesday urged the Maldives to uphold press freedom, saying in a statement that freedom of expression, including dissenting voices, is fundamental and must be protected.