The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an American organization dedicated to press freedom, has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's ratification of the media bill has placed the Maldivian media under government control.
The controversial bill, introduced to Parliament on June 18 by independent MP for Thulhaadhoo constituency Abdul Hannan Abubakr, was swiftly passed by the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), which holds a supermajority in Parliament, on Tuesday. Despite persistent protests from journalists, President Muizzu ratified the bill into law on Thursday.
The CPJ had previously urged the President not to pass the bill, citing his earlier promise to safeguard media freedom.
Following the bill's passage, Beh Lih Yi, CPJ's Asia Pacific Regional Director, commented, “This is an attack on press freedom and democracy.” She further asserted that the President had ‘broken his pledge’ to protect media freedom.
“We urge him to repeal the law and protect independent journalism in the Maldives,” read the CPJ post.
#Maldives: CPJ is deeply concerned by President @MMuizzu's decision to sign the Maldives Media & Broadcasting Bill into law, a measure that will create a government-controlled commission with sweeping powers to censor, suspend, and block news outlets.https://t.co/RiKVWsddi7… pic.twitter.com/l6nzX56EYO
— CPJ Asia (@CPJAsia) September 18, 2025
Since the introduction of the media bill, journalists have consistently voiced concerns that the legislation restricts both freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
On August 25, the President had stated that he informed PNC members of his desire for the bill not to grant him control over the media. He had also indicated that during the amendment process, the Chairman of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulatory Commission, established under the Act, should be elected by the members of the Commission.
As initially introduced, the bill stipulated that three of the seven members of the Regulatory Commission, along with the Chairman, would be appointed by the President. However, these powers have since been transferred to the parliament.
Police push back protesters from outside the Parliament Building ahead of a vote on a contentious media bill on September 16, 2025. (Sun Photo/Ahmed Firyal)
Meanwhile, the President informed reporters that his administration is a 'pro-media' government and that he intends to propose amendments to the bill.
Subsequently, the Attorney General's Office proposed 14 amendments to the bill. Nevertheless, despite ongoing concerns from journalists, pro-government MPs approved the bill, asserting that the journalists' concerns had been addressed through the amendments made by the parliamentary committee on Independent Institutions.