The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Friday declared the proposed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission Bill a threat to press freedom in the Maldives. A joint statement by the IFJ and the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) described the new bill as “controversial” and criticised it for seeking to “establish a new government-influenced commission.”
The IFJ and the MJA, expressing concern about the proposed, largely government-controlled commission—which would regulate and oversee press accreditation and have the authority to impose fines on journalists and media outlets—called for urgent engagement by stakeholders to ensure media independence and uphold the constitutional right to a free press.
The bill, introduced on 13 November by Member of Parliament (MP) for Thulhaadhoo, Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru [Independent], seeks to abolish the existing Maldives Media Council (MMC) and Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom) and create a new ‘Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission’. The proposed Commission would have the authority to levy fines, withhold media licences, and demand public apologies from journalists and media organisations.
Significant concern has been raised by media organisations and press freedom groups at the proposed composition of the seven members of the commission, with four members appointed by the President and only three selected by the media. The bill, further exacerbating the issue of journalistic freedom, also proposes that the commission’s president and vice president, who exert significant power over the regulator, will also be appointed by the President.
“The association believes that the bill will severely restrict the constitutional right to freedom of the press and impose serious obstacles on the work of journalists. The media will lose their existing power to self-regulate or self-regulate, and instead, the government’s influence and power will penetrate heavily into the media, pushing the freedom of the media in the country backwards for many years,” MJA said.
MJA expressed concern about the bill’s impact on the media’s self-regulation, stating that the government’s failure to consult with the association undermines the principles of a free press and would lead to “undue government influence on the freedom of media and journalists.”
“This association has always believed that the right to regulate the media should be based on a self-regulatory mechanism. That is, one of the main functions of the media is to monitor and hold the government, state institutions, and authorities accountable. Therefore, the government taking over the affairs of those who are to watch over the government is a very undesirable system,” said MJA.
MJA also added that past government influence has led to heavy fines for media workers and organisations and incited closure of Maldivian media organisations. Concern has previously been raised by MJA and IFJ at government interference and overstep in the functioning of the independent MMC, the statement noted.
“This legislation has been submitted with no industry consultation and undermines the vital role of journalists in holding power to account, handing key regulatory decisions to a commission comprised of a government-selected majority. IFJ calls for urgent and immediate engagement with media stakeholders as a commitment of democracy and media freedom,” the IFJ said.
Despite heavy criticism, Aboobakuru reaffirmed that he had no plans to retract the legislation, stating he “submitted the bill because the nation comes first.”
During the bill’s first hearing, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed stated that President Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) would only decide to endorse the legislation after further review.
Meanwhile, Muizzu, in a post to social media, reiterated his stated goal of protecting journalistic freedoms and freedom of expression in the Maldives.
“I do not believe in controlling newspapers and media. Every citizen shall have the right to do whatever they want with their own freedom within the territory of the sovereign state of the Maldives as long as that does not violate the Islam faith and the Constitution of the Maldives,” he said.
