A youth has expressed concerns about the media control bill currently being reviewed by Parliament, stating that if the bill is passed, critics will be reduced to simply saying “thank you, President”, citing it is not the kind of Maldives he desires, 
Rashwan Mohamed, who had completed his higher education in Malaysia, made the remark while speaking at the open mic forum organized by Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) regarding the media control bill. The youth noted that several individuals affiliated with the government have claimed the bill will not affect social media.
However, the bill defines ‘media’ as television, radio, CDs, websites, newspapers, publications, and other registered and unregistered sources for the dissemination of information, news and opinion.
As such, many have raised concerns over the possibility of the government regulating social media, just as the media, and in this regard, advocating for the upholding of the right to freedom of expression.
Ruling PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah addressed the concerns on Saturday, denying any plans by the government to regulate social media alongside the press under the controversial bill.
“I am stunned by these remarks. I thought, is the bill they have read and the bill I have read truly the same? This is how stunned I am,” Rashwan said.
Rashwan said after hearing Falah’s remarks, he revisited the bill on the Parliament’s website and concluded that its contents do not align with the arguments being presented in its support.
He underscored that people who defended the bill are affiliated with the government.
“When I checked the bio [of their accounts], they are political appointees, senior political directors, state ministers and deputy ministers. The heads of the government are preaching complete lies,” he stressed.
Rashwan pointed out that some individuals defending the bill claimed the definition of media remains the same as it was a decade ago. However, he stressed that the media landscape has changed significantly since then.
An open mic forum organized by Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) regarding the media control bill on September 13, 2025. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Afwaan Solah)
He added that any individual well-versed with media and social media would not exclude social media from the internet.
Speaking further, Rashwan said individuals who defend the bill must verify the truth of remarks that have previously been said.
“They said the US Dollar rate would go down. But are any of those people actually getting dollars at a lower rate? Are they? I’m not. Are you?” he questioned, highlighting that, in reality, the dollar rate has increased. He used this as an example to underscore several pledges made by the current administration that have not been fulfilled.
“Therefore, even if someone says something, it should be checked whether they have been truthful before. I do not view them as individuals who have ever spoken the truth,” he added.
Rashwan stated that even if the government insists it would not misuse the power to control social media under the proposed bill, such assurances cannot be trusted. He emphasized that this is a power the government should never be given to begin with.
He expressed concern over the fact that the bill would silence everyone and not just journalists. In this regard, Rashwan said individuals who currently critique the government via social media would be unable to do so in the future if the bill is passed.
Instead, Rashwan said they will have to thank the president and sing him praise as PNC figures do at present.
“I do not want a Maldives such as this,”
Rashwan alleged that the bill was formulated from the start with the intention to control social media.
The controversial media bill, introduced for the second time by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakar who is aligned the government, includes numerous provisions granting the government significant control over the media. Despite significant protest, the bill was accepted in Parliament and is currently in the review stage.
On Thursday, the government proposed 14 amendments to the media bill, including a provision for no action against individual journalists.