The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) issued a statement on Thursday condemning the enactment of a new media law that replaces the existing self-regulatory system with a government-controlled commission, labelling it as an “unconstitutional” law that deals a serious blow to press freedom and freedom of expression in the Maldives.
On August 18, Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent lawmaker aligned with the government, submitted a bill that seeks to dissolve the Maldives Media Council (MMC) and the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom), replacing them with a single regulatory body — a seven-member Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC).
The bill, widely panned both local and international journalism groups for its vague and ambiguous terminology, was openly backed by the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration, with a senior lawmaker from the party, Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim admitting to being involved in the drafting process.
The Parliament worked through recess on the bill, and the PNC used its supermajority to ensure its passage with a majority vote of 60-1 in an extraordinary sitting on Tuesday, amid protests both within and outside the Parliament – the former of which led to several parliamentarians from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) getting forcibly removed from the chambers.
Despite calls on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to veto the legislature, he signed it into law on Thursday morning, putting it into immediate force.
In a statement shortly after, the MJA, which represents over 150 journalists, condemned the decision, describing it as “extremely disheartening.”
“The ratification is a serious blow to press freedom and freedom of expression in the Maldives. We condemn this transparent attempt to pave the way for the Executive Legislature to take full control of the media,” reads the statement.
The MJA said the new law grants a heavily politicized commission under the influence of the executive branch sweeping powers, including blocking websites, revoking broadcasting licenses, and imposing heavy sanctions, without due process.
The MJA said they see this as a signal meant to intimidate the journalist community and fuel self-censorship.
“However, we will not be intimidated,” reads the statement. “We stand in defiance of this law and will work with journalists and civil society actors to explore all necessary avenues to challenge this unconstitutional law.”
With the ratification of the legislature, the BroadCom and MMC have been dissolved, and are set to be replaced with a seven-member MMBC, composed of three members appointed by the Parliament and four elected by registered medias. The legislative assembly is also empowered to appoint the commission’s chairperson. And all members, including those elected by medias, can be dismissed by the Parliament, in which the ruling PNC enjoys a supermajority.
The legislature also grants the MMBC sweeping powers to fine, suspend and shut down news outlets, including for coverage that the commission deems contrary to religious norms, national security, public order, or public health. The broad law also charges medias with the responsibility to uphold the legitimate government, protect national security, protect the dignity and private lives of individuals, and differentiate between facts and personal opinions based on facts.
The initial version of the bill had said it would not be the Parliament but the President himself who appointed three members as well as the chairperson of the commission. It also empowered the commission to sanction individuals for posts, including those shared on social media, as far back as one year ago. However, these provisions, along with a number of others, were amended during the committee review following pushback from local and international media rights groups.
While journalist protest against the bill as a direct threat to press freedom and a crackdown on dissent, PNC administration touts it as important legislature that protects people from defamation, disinformation and misinformation, and paves the path for accountability in the media field.
International rights groups, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), as well as the US embassy in Male’ have voiced strong concern over the legislature.