The media bill is set to be passed by the parliament, with the Deputy Leader of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group (PG), Mohamed Ismail, stating that a supermajority of the public desires such a law. The PNC holds a supermajority in Parliament.
The bill, reintroduced in parliament by government-affiliated Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr, contains numerous provisions to control journalists. Concerns about the bill have been voiced by all media outlets that commented on it, as well as the Maldives Media Council (MMC), the Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom), and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).
However, Vilimale MP Mohamed has expressed strong support for the bill in several posts on X on Saturday.
In one such post, he asserted that the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members’ desire to erase the bill from existence would not materialize. He affirmed that the bill would be passed, as it aligns with the public’s wishes.
“The supermajority of the people believe that such a bill should become law,” he wrote on his X handle.
މިލްގަ މައްސަލައެއްނެތް MDP ގެ ބައެއް މެންބަރުން ބޭނުންނުވަނީ މި ބިލް ވުޖޫދުން ފޮހެލަން ހިލާ ތިކަމެއްނުވާނެ ރައްޔިތުން ބޭނުންވާ ގޮތައް ބިލްފާސްކުރާނަން. ދިވެހި ރައްޔިތުންގެ ސުޕަމެޖޯރިޓީ ގަބޫލްކުރަނީ މިފަދަބިލެއް ގާނޫނަކައް ވެގެން އަންނަން ޖެހޭ ކަމައް pic.twitter.com/Ti67dDak4E
— Mohamed Ismail (@MPMohdIsmail) September 13, 2025
Mohamed further stated that the bill would prevent the spread of false news while providing ample opportunity for true information. He has been a vocal defender of the bill, writing: "You cannot say whatever you want. You will not be restricted from saying what you want while maintaining Islamic principles and moral standards."
The Independent Institutions Committee of Parliament is currently working on the bill and is scheduled to complete its work by Monday. The government has expressed overall support for the bill despite some concerns.
In response to these concerns, the government has proposed amendments to the media bill. These amendments include a provision to not levy penalties on individual journalists and to require editors of media outlets to meet commission-set requirements. The Attorney General’s (AG) Office has proposed a total of 14 amendments to the bill.
Despite these proposed amendments, journalists continue to express concern about the bill and advocate for its repeal.
Journalists protest against the media control bill outside the Parliament Building on September 9, 2025. (Sun Photo/Maaniu Mohamed)
What is in Hannan's bill?
Establishment of a Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission. This new commission would oversee all media operations.
Three members would be appointed by the President, with the remaining four elected by the media.The President would appoint the commission's head.
A fine of MVR 5,000 to MVR 25,000 would be imposed for failure to rectify issues as per the commission’s order.
Media outlets could face fines up to MVR 100,000 for actions deemed illegal or against amended laws.
The commission would have the power to temporarily cancel a media outlet's registration upon commencing an investigation.
The commission could annul a registered media outlet before court proceedings are concluded.
The commission would have the authority to block news websites, tabloid channels, and stop TV broadcasts.
The commission could bring back cases from up to a year before its establishment and take action on them.
The bill also provides for regulation of social media.