Ibrahim Waheed, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, has affirmed his stance against withdrawing the controversial media bill, though he expressed willingness to engage with media professionals regarding their 'other' concerns.
The bill, reintroduced to parliament by Thulhaadhoo constituency MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr, has drawn significant criticism from journalists who argue its provisions grant the government excessive control, urging its removal from parliament.
Currently, the bill is undergoing closed-door review at the committee stage within Parliament after being accepted, with the ruling party votes, ofcourse.
Speaking on state media PSM, Minister Waheed refuted claims that the bill would regress journalism by decades. He assured that it would instead foster progress and reiterated the current government's commitment to promoting journalists.
"As the AG will retain a love for the legal profession, I will love Maldivian journalism from the bottom of my heart too. I have seen and read it [the media bill]. I am saying that Maldivian journalism will not go backwards, but forward in the proper channel," the minister stated.
Veteran journalists speak at a press conference held to protest against the Media bill in parliament on August 26, 2025. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Maniu)
He further claimed that many journalists criticizing the bill had not thoroughly examined its contents, asserting paradoxically that most provisions proposed in it already exist in current laws and regulations.
Referencing the government's initiative to allocate 0.1 percent of the state budget as financial assistance to private media outlets, the minister suggested that newspapers would no longer face sponsorship woes. He added that this financial aid would empower independent newspapers, facilitate media outlets operating without physical offices, and provide educational opportunities for journalists.
"We will not control the media, we will not go back 15-20 years, I see it [the future of the media] bright and shining," he said.
In a recent development, the Attorney General's (AG) Office published its proposed amendments to the media bill on Wednesday, notably excluding punitive measures against individual journalists. The AG proposed a total of 14 amendments, which include:
More detailed definitions of "public order," "national security," and "electronic media."
A provision for a specific annual budget allocation to the regulatory Commission, based on its advice, to cover expenses.
A stipulation that investigations of complaints or cases by the Commission shall be conducted by an Interim Adjudication Committee, with governing rules to be incorporated into the bill.
The addition of standards to the obligation to disclose truthful information as outlined in Article 44.
The deletion of Article 42, "Standard for Disclosure of Information on Matters of Conflict," and its replacement with "Standard for Disclosure of Information on Matters of Public Interest."
The inclusion of truthful information disclosure, along with fair and transparent news presentation, within the Code of Conduct for the Media in Article 39.
A stipulation that Article 41, "Standards for Disclosure of Personal Information," must uphold individual personal freedom and that information release should be conducted respectfully.
The AG has also resolved to propose amendments to three articles of the bill to exclude the President's role in the appointment and dismissal of Commission members and the appointment of the Commission's Chairman. Additionally, the AG proposes to repeal the regulatory committee's power to impede the registration of a media outlet as an action against it.
Journalists protest against the media control bill outside the Parliament Building on September 9, 2025. (Sun Photo/Maaniu Mohamed)
Despite the government's assurances of non-direct involvement, Maldivian journalists, international journalists' associations, and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) have widely expressed concerns, asserting that the bill contains provisions antithetical to democratic principles. Ruling party MPs have publicly defended the bill.
In response to criticisms, President Muizzu has stated that his administration is "pro-media" and has assured that the bill would be amended.