For the second time, a bill has been introduced in parliament aiming to annul newspaper registrations and establish a media broadcasting commission. This proposed commission would comprise three members appointed by the president, tasked with overseeing media operations.
Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr previously put forth a similar bill to control media, which was withdrawn after strong opposition from journalists and organizations. The reintroduction of this bill by MP Hannan signals the government's continued intent to significantly influence the media landscape.
The current bill, proposed as the Maldivian Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, seeks to establish the Maldivian Media and Broadcasting Commission. This commission would grant the President considerable powers, including the appointment of three members with parliamentary approval. The remaining four members would be elected by the media. The President would also appoint the Commission's Chairman based on parliamentary proposal, a departure from the previous system where both the chairman and vice-chairman were appointed by a commission vote. Should a member resign, the reasons must be submitted to the President.
The bill outlines stringent measures against media workers and journalists. News agencies failing to rectify issues as advised by the commission within a given timeframe face fines ranging from MVR 5,000 to MVR 25,000. Media outlets or newspapers violating the law could incur fines up to MVR 100,000.
Crucially, the commission would have the authority to temporarily suspend a media outlet's registration during an investigation. This temporary cancellation could become permanent following a case taken to court. The commission also gains the power to block newspaper websites or halt television broadcasts.
Under the bill, the commission would be empowered to investigate any submitted case, even those that occurred up to a year before the commission's establishment or the bill's adoption.
Despite repeated opposition from the opposition and journalists' associations, the government has not officially condemned the bill.
However, President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu, speaking at a ceremony marking the government's first anniversary, stated that the bill does not align with his beliefs and that he intends to pass it out of parliament, expressing a desire to grant greater freedom and empowerment to the media.
Nevertheless, the bill has once again been brought before Parliament.