Attorney General Ahmed Usham on Friday acknowledged issued with the contentious media bill submitted to the Parliament that seeks to replace the existing self-regulatory system with a government-controlled commission, but believes it also establishes broad and necessary principles to address pressing issues of accountability and misinformation in the media.
On August 18, Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government, submitted a bill that seeks to dissolve the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Broadcasting Commission of Maldives (BroadCom), replacing them with a single regulatory body — a seven-member Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC), composed of four members elected by the media and three appointed by the President of the Maldives with parliamentary approval, with the President also given the authority to appoint the commission’s head. It also empowers the MMBC to impose major penalties against media outlets as well as individual journalists, including during the investigative stage.
The bill, widely panned both local and international journalism groups, is openly backed by the PNC administration. Both international and local media rights groups, as well individual media outlets and journalists have demanded the withdrawal of the bill.
Following days of protest, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) proposed amendments to the bill.
In response to a post on X criticizing the bill for its vague and flawed provisions, Usham acknowledged that there are issues with the original draft of the bill.
“It is for this reason that we reviewed the Bill and submitted important amendments,” he said.
He said that the “details will have to be refined and concerns will have to be addressed through constructive dialogue and input from stakeholders during committee stage.”
“As for the definitions, we have submitted amendments to clarify vague terminology, including the definition of electronic media,” he said.
The Parliament has been working through recess on the bill, with the Independent Institutions Committee setting a September 15 deadline to complete all work on the legislature. They set a 10-day window for public opinion, and a three-day window for consultation with stakeholders.
The attempt to seemingly rush the passage the bill has sparked concern from the media.
But Usham believes the amendments address the concerns raised by the media.
“Our intention in submitting the amendments is to ensure that there is no unnecessary intrusion in media at the same time protect the public from harm and disinformation,” he said.
Usham also believes the bill establishes broad and necessary principles to address pressing issues of accountability and misinformation.
“I believe that the bill establishes broad and necessary principles to address pressing issues of accountability, misinformation, and the responsible handling of information in the media space. These challenges are real and cannot be ignored. I believe that having a legislative foundation is a starting point,” he said.
I agree that there are issues in the Bill submitted to Majlis. It is for this reason that we reviewed the Bill and submitted important amendments. As with most Bills, details will have to be refined and concerns will have to be addressed through constructive dialogue and input… https://t.co/zZZ3N1GDP4 pic.twitter.com/PUVQQLO4D7
— Ahmed Usham (@a_usham) September 12, 2025
On Wednesday, the AGO submitted 14 amendments to the media bill. Key among these is the recommendation to remove the provision prescribing penalties against individual journalists, and requiring editors of media outlets to meet specific requirements set by the commission.
Other proposed amendments include:
More detailed definitions of "public order," "national security," and "electronic media" within the bill.
A provision stipulating that a specific allocation from the annual budget shall be provided to the Commission, based on the Commission's advice, to cover its expenses.
If the Commission opts to investigate a complaint or case, the investigation shall be conducted by an Interim Adjudication Committee established by the Commission, and the rules governing this committee must be incorporated into the bill.
The addition of standards to the obligation to disclose truthful information as outlined in Article 44 of the bill.
The removal 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 the disclosure of truthful information, along with the fair and transparent presentation of news and information, within the Code of Conduct for the Media in Article 39 of the bill.
The stipulation that Article 41, "Standards for Disclosure of Personal Information," must uphold an individual's personal freedom, and that the release of such information should be conducted respectfully.
The AGO also proposed amendments to three points of the bill, specifically to exclude the Maldivian President's role in the appointment and dismissal of commission members and the appointment of the commission's president.
The bill has been widely slammed by both international and local organizations as a direct threat to press freedom.