The parliament committee on independent institutions on Tuesday barred journalists from covering its review of a controversial media regulation bill, saying the session was kept secret to protect the privacy of citizens who had submitted feedback.
Committee chair Hussain Riza Adam, the MP for Maafushi, said between 10 and 12 comments had been received on each of the 85 articles of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Bill. The bill was tabled by government-aligned Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru.
Lawmakers argued that opening the meeting could expose personal information of individuals whose opinions were submitted to the committee. Journalists had sought to attend the meeting as part of their ongoing campaign to have the bill withdrawn, which they say poses a grave threat to press freedom in the country.
The draft legislation would dissolve the Maldives Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council, replacing them with a new seven-member Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. Three members would be appointed by the president, four elected by established media outlets, while the president would also appoint the chair. Critics warn the arrangement risks placing the media under direct government control.
The commission would be granted sweeping powers, including the authority to suspend media registrations, block news websites, halt broadcasts, and impose fines ranging from MVR 5,000 to 25,000 on individual journalists and up to MVR 100,000 on outlets for non-compliance. Opposition leader and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has described the measure as “another poorly concealed attempt” to dismantle press freedom.
Local media groups, including the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC), have denounced the draft. The MMC said the bill would “open the door for unfair action against the media” and undermine constitutional protections, including the right of journalists not to disclose their sources. The MJA warned that vague provisions in the legislation are “ripe for abuse” and could effectively criminalise journalism.
International press freedom organisations have also joined the call for the bill’s withdrawal. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said the legislation “lacks legitimacy” and bypasses industry consultation. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and 20 other civil society groups have urged President Mohamed Muizzu to withdraw the bill, citing its threat to media independence and the public’s right to know.
Government officials insist the bill is intended to strengthen accountability. President Muizzu has said freedom of speech has limits and stressed the need to safeguard dignity and honour.