PPM Parliamentary Group Leader and Vilimale’ Constituency MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik has stated that he will grant all possible leniency to media within the proposed defamation bill.
He added that defamation bill was concerning to many parties but that the issue was a key issue.
Speaking to Miadhu after the meeting with Maldives Media Council, the Council’s President, Mohamed Asif said that Nihan had assured that he will repeal the bill if the defamation issue can be resolved. He added that Nihan did not wish any harm on any media personnel.
Asif added that the issue had increased in magnitude due to media reporting on the revelations made on political podiums.
Maldives enjoys a high degree of media freedom. However, reporting on issues with the intent to defame the character is a punishable offense.
The biggest defaming claims are usually made in Parliament sessions. However, no action can be taken on the MPs due to their privileges and immunity. Even though no reports are made on the sessions, all of those claims are made public due to the live broadcast of sessions.
The Constitution, based on Islamic shariah, bans any baseless claims. Many have questioned the legitimacy of the very immunity the Parliament members enjoy on such issues. Many have also argued the MPs should be the first to be prosecuted under the defamation act, adding that it was unfair ordinary citizens would be tried before the MPs.