On Tuesday, the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led supermajority in the Parliament passed the controversial Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill during an extraordinary session, drawing significant international attention and criticism over its potential threat to press freedom.
The bill, proposed by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr, an independent aligned with the pro-government coalition, was approved with 60 votes in favor and only one against, cast by Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas. Promoted by PNC MPs and the government as a measure to protect reputations, the bill has been widely criticized by journalists and opposition groups for enabling potential censorship through a new regulatory commission with powers to fine, suspend, or block media outlets.
Despite protests and a petition signed by 151 journalists, the Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee, which reviewed the bill, dismissed the concerns, claiming amendments addressed them. The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) refuted this on Wednesday, calling the government’s claim a “lie” and asserting that the bill fails to address journalists’ objections.
Trouble in India's neighbourhood yet again — this time it’s the #Maldives.Journalists are up in arms against the Muizzu govt after a contentious media bill was passed, which seeks to replace the existing self-regulatory system with a govt-controlled commission for the media.… pic.twitter.com/JWVsOOYck3
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) September 16, 2025
The bill’s passage has garnered international scrutiny. The US Embassy in Male' issued a statement on Tuesday, urging the Maldives to uphold freedom of expression. Major global outlets, including Al Jazeera, reported on the protests and concerns raised by press freedom advocates. Indian media, such as The Wire and The Week, covered the bill’s approval, highlighting regional concerns. The Manila Times in the Philippines and Channels Television in Nigeria also reported on the issue, noting objections from international organizations.
In a show of solidarity, around 20 Sri Lankan journalists protested on Wednesday outside the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo, calling on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to reject the bill and emphasizing the importance of press freedom for democracy. Additionally, press freedom groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the bill, with CPJ urging President Muizzu to veto it on August 21, and RSF calling for its withdrawal on August 27, 2025.
Sri Lankan journalists protest against ratifying media bill in front of Maldivian High Commission in Sri Lanka on September 17, 2025. (Photo/Moosa Rasheed)
Journalists, the MJA, and the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have vowed to challenge the bill in court if President Muizzu ratifies it, viewing ratification as a critical point of no return. The controversy echoes past attempts to curb press freedom in the Maldives, such as the 2016 Defamation Act under former President Abdulla Yameen, which was repealed in 2018 following international pressure, and a 2019 proposal during the previous administration to mandate disclosure of journalistic sources, which was abandoned after backlash.
As the bill awaits presidential action, global and local stakeholders continue to urge Muizzu to prioritize press freedom, warning of further erosion of democratic values in the Maldives.